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COMPUTING FOR BUSINESS AND HOME

iiu I cnniLC aoL

JUNE 1982 $2.50/CANADA/MEXICO $3.00

(S^ 02651

Thinking Multiprocessing?

ThinkTeletek'sSBGI

Teletek's SBC-1 provides each user in a multi-processing system
with his own CPU, serial ports, parallel ports, CTC, 128k of
segmented memory with (optional) "RAM drive/' The SBC-1
is the most powerful S-100 slave processor available today.

• System may run at 4MHz with SBC-1 running at 6MHz

• Z80A or Z80B processor

• Two RS232C serial ports 1) Software selectable
speeds 2) Communication to a synchronous ^
modem ^ "

• CTC provides counter/timer
outputs available to the user

• 128k of segmented mem-
ory partitioned into
4k segments which
can be dynamically
addressed on any ^
4k boundary of the
CPU address space - >

• optional "RAM drive"
capability allows ^ .
extremely fast operation

• 2k, 4k, or 8k of EPROM .
for initialization routines '
(may be disabled after
completion of routines)

. Ik or 2k FIFO allows effi-
cient communication to the
bus master

• Two parallel ports — may be
converted to an RS422 port or
another RS232 port using Tele-
tek's PSC board

• Three levels of reset are possible

• As many as 16 SBC-Is may be in
use simultaneously

• Digital Research (CP/M®, MP/M®,
CP/NET®) or Infosoft operating sys-
tems available

Use Teletek's SYSTEMASTER® or FDC-I
as the master processor in the system for a
state-of-the-art multi-processing system
that begs comparison!

TELE7EK

9767F Business Park Drive
Sacramento, CA 95827 (916) 36M777

m^-

'l;M

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 76

j| L ^cw Cromemco System One shown with

our high-capability terminal and printer.

A new small computer
that won't limit you tomorrow

Here's a low-priced computer that
won't run out of memory capacity or
expandability halfway through your
project.

Typically, computer usage tends to
grow, requiring more capability, more
memory, more storage. Without a lot of
capability and expandability, your com-
puter can be obsolete from the start.

The new System One is a real building-
block machine. It has capability and
expandability by the carload.

Look at these features:

■ Z80-A processor

■ 64K of RAM

II 780K of disk storage

■ CRT and printer interfaces

■ Eight S-100 card slots, allowing
expansion with

— color graphics

— additional memory

— additional interfaces for
telecommunications, data
acquisition, etc.

■ Small size

GENEROUS DISK STORAGE

The 780K of disk storage in the System
One Model CS-1 is much greater than
what is typically available in small com-

puters. But here, too, you have a choice
since a second version. Model CS-1H,
has a 5" Winchester drive that gives you
5 megabytes of disk storage.

MULTI-USER, MULTI-TASKING
CAPABILITY

Believe it or not, this new computer
even offers multi-user capability when
used with our advanced cromix*
operating system option. Not only does
this outstanding O/S support multiple
users on this computer but does so with
powerful features like multiple direc-
tories, file protection and record level
lock. CROMIX lets you run multiple jobs as
well.

In addition to our highly-acclaimed
CROMIX, there is our cdos*. This is an
enhanced CP/M+ type system designed for
single-user applications, cp/m and a
wealth of CP/M-compatible software are
also available for the new System One
through third-party vendors.

COLOR GRAPHICS/WORD

PROCESSING

This small computer even gives you the
option of outstanding high-resolution
color graphics with our Model SDl inter-
face and two-port RAM cards.

Then there's our tremendously wide
range of Cromemco software including
packages for word processing, business,
and much more, all usable with the new
System One.

ANTI-OBSOLESCENCE/LOW-
PRICED

As you can see, the new One offers
you a lot of performance. It's obviously
designed with anti-obsolescence in
mind.

What's more, it's priced at only
$3,995. That's considerably less than
many machines with much less capabi-
lity. And it's not that much more than
many machines that have little or nothing
in the way of expandability.

Physically, the One is small — 7" high.
And it's all-metal in construction. It's only
MVs" wide, ideal for desk top use. A rack
mount option is also available.

CONTACT YOUR REP NOW

Get all the details on this important
building-block computer. Get in touch
with your Cromemco rep now. He'll
show- you how the new System One can
grow with your task.

*CROMIX and CDOS are trademarks of Cromemco Inc.
tCP/M is a trademark of Digital Research

a Cromemco
incorporated
280 BERNARDO AVE., MOUNTAIN VIEW, CA 94040 • (415)964-7400

Tomorrow's computers today

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 24

INTERFACE AGE 1

VOL. 8, ISSUE 6

SINCE DECEMBER 1975

JUNE 1982

Ten Steps to Take Before
you Buy a Computer 66

Three Language Options . .70

Selecting Accounts Payable/
Receivable Packages 72

tT)

iiu I cnraLC aat

COMPUTING FOR BUSINESS AND HOME APPLICATIONS

FEATURES

Assignment: Benchmark/NEC Astra 205 by HHiei Segal

Japanese system includes several advanced features 46

Hardware Evaluation: Three Atari 800 Accessories .by Roger h. Edeison

Looking at peripherals for the Atari 800 system 50

System of the Month: Eagle II by Tom Fox

System gives a new significance to the turnkey concept 58

Ten Steps to Take Before You Buy a Computer by Dona z Meiiach

Pre-planning is important in selecting a computer 66

Micro Idioms. . .A Look at Three Language Options

Fortran by Robert R. Mitchell

PL/1-80 by Gary Klldall

Forth by Luigi Bisceglia

Introductory tutorial on computer language choices 70

Business Software Forum:

Accounts Payable/Receivable by Cari Heintz, cpa

Tips on selection of a payable/receivables package 72

Software Review: Addison-Wesley's DSS/F by Robert Moskowitz

Financial planning package with sophisticated features 81

Software Review: Vandata Business Package by Rocky Smoiin

Perils of a business software manufacturer 84

Suppliers of Multiprocessor Equipment by Bernard Conrad Coie

Conclusion of three-part series on multi-microprocessing 90

Software Review: BADLIM by Alan R. Miller

Evaluating this CP/M program for recovering data 94

Don't Let Interest Rates Dazzle You by d. Martin Harreii

Program toaid in interest rate computation 98

COLUMNS

Game Corner: Cube Trek 28

Micro-Mathematician: Gaussian elimination 33

Learning with Micros: Educational networks 36

Apple-ications: Learning programming 38

Commodore Logbook: cp/m on your Pet 40

Power in your Pocket: Cost-of-iiving index 42

DEPARTMENTS

Editor's Notebook 8 New Products 102

Letters 21 Calendar 1 26

Update 26 Book Reviews 1 28

New Literature 130

Contact authors by writing to them at INTERFACE AGE. P.O. Box 1234, Cerritos, CA 90701 .

INTERFACE AGE Magazine, published monthly by McPheters. Wolfe & Jones. 16704 Marquardt Ave.. Cerritos. CA 90701 . Subscription rates: U.S. $18.00. Canada $24.00. all other countries
$35.00. Mal^e checl^s payable in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Opinions expressed in by-lined articles do not necessarily reflect the opinion of this magazine or the publisher. Mention
on products by trade name in editorial material or advertisements contained herein in no way constitutes endorsement of the product or products by this magazine or the publisher. Circulation
Department. (213) 926-9540.

INTERFACE AGE Magazine COPYRIGHT ©1982 by INTERFACE AGE Magazine Inc. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. Materials in this publication may not be reporduced in any form without
permission. Permission to photocopy for internal or personal use or the internal or personal use of specific clients is granted by McPheters, Wolfe & Jones for libraries and others registered
with the Copyright Clearance Center (CCC). provided that the flat fee of $1.50 per copy of each article is paid directly to CCC. 21 Congress Street, Salem. MA 01970. Special requests
should be designated to Nancy Jones. ISSN 0147-2992/82 $1.50 0.00.

INTERFACE AGE Magazine is catalogued in the Library of Congress. Classification No. QA75.5.155. USPS No. 580-310. ISSN Publication No. 0147-2992.

POSTMASTER: Please send change of address form 3579 and undelivered copies to INTERFACE AGE Magazine, 16704 Marquardt Ave.. Cerritos, CA 90701 . Second class postage paid

at Lincoln. Nebraska and Artesia. California.

2 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

And The

Winner Is . . . IBC -^^^m

Bv Four Users!

***mi

HIS

nmk.

When you are racing toward that finish line,
beating the competition is everything. IBC is
the choice of OEM's, system integrators and
dealers throughout the world, because in
benchmark after benchmark our small
business computer systems finish first.

We finish first because we are faster, offer
higher quality peripherals and can expand
our system significantly beyond our nearest
competitors. In fact, looking at the chart
below, you can quickly see why knowledge-
able resellers are choosing IBC.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 46

IOC

anijx

Aixa^

Oasis Operating System
(Max. Users)

CPU Speed (MHz)

Disk Speed I/O (MB/Sec.)

.81

.65

,54

Seek (Mllli Sec.)

Cache Disk Memory

Yes

hf I

jCS^:;>;^kJm£^

) I

[^ ^^

^z^^

^aaiJS^

..■ ^«

■ -y'JM^M ■'"-I

Join us in the winners circle with high
performance equipment and the best dealer
plan in the industry. Call or write:

OUTSIDE THE USA

21592 Marllla Street

Chatsworth. CA 91311

(213) 882-9007 TELEX NO. 215349

WITHIN THE USA

iSSiailigiig]

4185 Harrison Blvd.. Suite 301
Ogden. UTAH 84403
(801)621-2294

Extraordinary Microcomputer Systems
For The Most Demanding Applications

a-^.

umbia Data Products' Performance Pleases The Hardest-To-Please.

Intelligent Peripherals.

Columbia Data is a pioneer in intelli-
gent RS-232 storage systems for data
logging— and store and forward data
communications applications. We offer
a variety of data storage capacities,
access speeds, and microprocessor
intelligence in ourtape cartridge and
floppy disk storage systems ... all
with the convenience of RS-232 sys-
tem compatibility.

Commander Computers.

Our Commander Computers are
integrated desktop systems for indus-
triaL scientific, technical and educa-
tional applications. We provide the
industry's largest I/O complement,
including IEEE bus controllers, RS-
232 and parallel interfaces, APU. CTC.
512 X 256 graphics display . . . with
dual Z-80A microprocessor architec-
ture and a targe selection of RAM,
floppy disk and Winchester disk stor-
age with CP/M** and MP/M' operat-
ing systems,

Business Systems.

Columbia Business Systems offer high-
performance multi-tasking, multi-user
computing systems for distributed
processing and data communications.
with large shared storage and pe-
ripheral selections. Our Concept 1000
can support up to 16 user stations in
a true CP/M^ and MP/M^ operating
system environment Our 1 500/1 800
Series can support up to five stations.

'Trademark of Digital Research

Home Office:

8990 Route 108
Columbia. MD 21045
Telephone 301-992-3400
TWX 710-862-1891

West Coast:

3901 MacArthur Blvd
Suite 2 1 1

Newport Beach, CA 92660
Telephone 714-752-5245

Telex 692 310

Europe:

P.O Box 1118

405Q Moenchengladbach 1

West Germany

Telephone 021-61-33159
Telex 852 452

CIRCL£ INQUIRY NO. 14

DATA PRODUCTS, INC.

iiuicnraLCflDC

Robert S. Jones
Nancy A. Jones
Richard E. Kielb

Managing Editor
Associate Editor
Assistant Editor
Technical Editors

Contributing Editors

Production Manager
Senior Artist
Artists
Typographers

Publisher, Editor-in-Chief

Executive Publisher

Director Sales/Marketing

Editorial

Les Spindle

Ralf Korbner

Dan W. Post

Terry Benson

Tom Fox

David D. Busch

Tony Dirksen

Roger Edelson

Louis E. Frenzel, Jr.

Mil<e Heck

Carl Heintz

Bob McElwain

Dona Z. Mellach

Alan R. Miller

Leah O'Connor

Patrick O'Connor

Hillel Segal

Rocky Smolin

Production

Terri Ledesma

Larry Lewis

Arlene DeVera, Patricia Perez

Suzl Pippin, Regina Simmons

Administration

Kay Lee

Accounting Supervisor
Accounting Assistants

Marilyn Henninger, Shirley Mazenko
Assistant-to-the-Publisher Karen Lewis

Circulation Manager
Circulation Assistants

Publication Assistants

Colin Cato

Stephanie Barber,

Sheila Drury, Mary Garand

Cheryl Johnston, Lilly Lisa

Advertising Sales Offices

New England/Mid Atlantic/Southeast

Regional Manager Douglas Miller

14 Galway Rd.. Windham. NH 03087

(603) 880-3507

Dick Green
7 Lincoln St.. Wakefield, MA 01880
(617) 245-9105

Midwest Al Gravenhorst, Steve Skinner

5901 N. Cicero Ave., Chicago, IL 60646
(312) 545-8621

Texas Area Mitch Mohanna

2312 Canyon Valley Trail. Piano (Dallas), TX 75023
(214) 596-1139

Northern California & Northwest Deborah Kenney

1333 Lawrence Expressway. Suite 150C,
Santa Clara, CA 95051
(408) 296-2121

Southern California & Southwest

Regional Manager Jeff Strlef

P.O. Box 1234, Cerritos, CA 90701
(213)926-9544

Interface Age Europe

Representative

8046 Garching, Dirnismaning 32A

West Germany

Telephone: 089-3204902

Gisela Pieperelt

Marilyn Henninger

International Newsstand Distribution

Director Lew Ulllan

Oberstrasse 38. D-6000 Frankfurt/M. 61

West Germany

Telephone: (0611) 44 77 90/41 84 80

International/Domestic
Retail Circulation

(213)926-9544

UK Distributor

Seymour Press Limited
334 Brixton Rd.
London SW9 7AG
Telephone: 01-733-4444

16704 Marquardt Avenue
Cerritos, CA 90701

(213) 926-9544
TWX (910) 583-1412

BUSINESS SOFTWARE YOU CAN SELL WITH NO ROYALTIES!

Vondoro has on incredible deal for deolers, OEMs end morure users. Buy
rhecomplereVondorobusinesssofrworepocKogeforolow S295, ondrhen resell
ir OS ofren os you wish ro end users wirhour paying royolries.

This is rhe besr-debugged, eosiesr-ro-insroll, enhanced Osborne-bosed
sysrem on rhe morher. The industry srondord occounring pockoge wirh
rhousonds of users. Ir's well worrh up ro S995 ro end users.

You'll receive borh source and object code for General Ledger; Accounts
Keceivoble, Accounts Payable and Payroll G Cosr Accounting. Plus, our custom
instollotion program thot toilors the system to most terminols and disks.

Minimum requirements ore 48K flAM, CP/M^"* or CD05, CDA5IC2/" a CRT
and 132-column printer. Vondoto con provide stondord 8", NorthStor 5"
double-density or Heath/Zenith 5" diskettes. Our instollotion manual is included
and the Osborne/McGrow-Hill opplicotion manuals ore available seporotely

VANDATA

1 7544 Midvole Ave, N , Suite 205, Seattle, WA 98130, (206) 542-761 1

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 60

Have 80 line$,1600 chars,
will travel

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 37

When it comes to serving the needs of today's fast-
moving world of computer technology, you can depend
on G.R, Electronics,

That's why we've developed the Pocket VDU.
Travel anywhere with this self-contained, alphanumeric,
1^^^ hand-held fullv portable terminal that provides the
W^^ facilities of a full-size terminal in a light-weight, pocket-
size unit with clear 40-character display.
"^^ Small is beautiful. Check these features:

• 1600 char., 80-line memory.

• Conversational or batch-mode operation.
•2-line, 40 char display.

• All memory accessible for display.

• Full ASCII 128-char. set inc. contr codes.

• LINE and EDIT modes of operation.

• Selectable RS232C or 20mA loop interface.

• 11 selectable baud rates: to 2400 continuous;
4800 and 9600 baud in bursts.

• Rechargeable nickel cadmium batteries.

• Optional 5V external power source plus external ETX
charger

• 30 hours continuous operation from full charge.

• Switched-off unit retains data for weeks.

• low Battery' indicator

• Battery life 800-1000 charge/discharge cycles,
Comprehensive I/O facilities, low cost, and easy

portability make the Pocket VDU a practical choice
over conventional terminals in any application
where portability and economy are important factors.

OEM'S: • Use it with custom-built systems as a
low-cost I/O and systems control device • Easily portable
aid for development and service engineers.

Engineers: • In-system fault diagnosis on
processor-based systems • Interrogation, debug, and
statusmonitoring* Bench testing -Data
collection/retrieval.

Programmers: • Software debug and
modification • On-site reprogramming of limits and
constants.

For more information and brochure call or write:

irGROectronics

1640 Fifth Street, Santa Monica, CA 90401

Phone: (213) 395-4774 - Telex: 652337 (BT Smedley SNM)

INTERFACE AGE 5

Birth of a legend.

Epson.

A whole new generation of Epson MX printers
has just arrived. And while they share the family
traits that made Epson famous —like unequalled
reliability and ultra-fine printing — they've got a
lot more of what it takes to be a legend.

For instance, they've got a few extra type styles.
Sixty-six, to be exact, including italics, a handy
subscript and superscript for scientific notation,
and enough international symbols to print most
Western languages.

6 INTERFACE AGE

What's more, on the new-generation MX-80,
MX-80 F/T and MX-lOO, you get GRAFTRAX-
Plus dot addressable graphics. Standard. So now
you can have precision to rival plotters in a reli-
able Epson printer. Not to mention true back-
space, software printer reset, and programmable
form length, horizontal tab and right margin.

All in all, they've got the features that make
them destined for stardom. But the best part is
that beneath this software bonanza beats the

JUNE 1982

Uh...three legends.

heart of an Epson. So you still get a bidirectional,
logical seeking, disposable print head, crisp,
clean, correspondence quality printing, and the
kind of reliability that has made Epson the best-
selling printers in the world.

All of which should come as no surprise, espe-
cially when you look at the family tree. After all,
Epson invented digital printers almost seventeen
years ago for the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. We were

the first to make printers as reliable as the family
stereo. And we introduced the computer world
to correspondence quality printing and dispos-
able print heads. And now we've given birth to
the finest printers for small computers on the
market.

What's next? Wait and
see. We're already
expecting.

EPSON

EPSON AMERICA. INC.

3415 Kashiwa street-

Torrance,

CA 90505 •

(213) 539-9140

FEATURE

ORIGINAL

MX-80

GRAFTRAX-80*

ORIGINAL

MX-lOO

MX-80 MX-80 F/T MX-lOO
with GRAFTRAX-Plus

Bidirectional printing

Logical seeking function

Disposable print head

Speed: 80 CPS

Matrix: 9x9

Selectable paper feed

PAPER HANDLING FUNCTIONS

Line spacing to n/216

Programmable form length

Programmable horizontal tabs

Skip over perforation

PRINT MODES AND CHARACTER FONTS

96 ASCII characters

Italics character font

Special international symbols

Normal, Emphasized, Double-Strike
and Double/Emphasized print modes

Subscript/Superscript print mode

Underline mode

lOCPI

5CPI

17.16 CPI

8.58 CPI

DOT GRAPHICS MODE

Line drawing graphics

Bit image 60 D.P.I.

Bit image 120 D.P I.

CONTROL FUNCTIONS

Software printer reset

Adjustable right margin

True back space

INTERFACES

Standard — Centronics-style 8-bit parallel

Optional — RS-232C current loop w/2K buffer

RS-232C x-on/x-off w/2K buffer

IEEE-488

•Tandy TRS-80blockgraphicsonly available withGRAFTRAXSO.

ABCDEFGHI JKLJIN abcdef ghi j kl mn /^eCfftf G/j7 J/^;£AyW,3^'^^

ABCDEFGHIJKLMM abcdef ghi j klmrtftBCrjEFGHUHLMNabccfefghJ ;A-i ron 01234

(^BCDEFGHIJKLnNabcde-fghi jklmnfiBCD£FGHIJKLMNabcdefgh2jklmn012ZA

P^BCPI

>-^f^lBC73£r*

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ABCDEFQMIJKLriNQPQRSTUVMX «bcd*f ghl jhl mnafyqrmtyjiVMH ABC V£ F 9H ZJH I HHOPQRS 7 UV MX mbcdw f ghi jkl mno pqr r tui^mx 01234S67

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 34

INTERFACE AGE 7

Pfl@@rr.j.pj

The Aspen Software Company Spelling Checker.

QRAMMATik

Beyond Spelling Checking

THE ONLY COMPLETE
PROOFREADING PACKAGE

FOR ALL CP/M, MS-DOS,
AND TRS-80 WORD PROCESSORS

We'll match Proofreader with any other
spelling checker on the market. It has a big
38,000 word expandable dictionary, and can
check even your largest documents in under
four minutes. Proofreader looks up every
word, and does not use less accurate root
word analysis like some others. Full inter-
active correction is standard on CP/M and
TRS-80 Model II systems, and is a low cost
option for the TRS-80 Model l/III.

Spelling checking alone is not enough! No
one else has anything like Grammatik! It
analyzes your document for common typos,
punctuation errors, misused phrases, and
poor writing style. Grammatik is receiving
rave reviews from both critics and users.
Bob Louden in InfoWorld (12/7/81):
"Grammatik is a surprisingly fast and easy
tool for analyzing writing style and punctu-
ation. If you are currently doing original
writing on a word processor, you should
consider this product." Eric Balkan in
The Computer Consultant: "I'm impressed
with the imagination that went into this
product." A user: "Thanks for making my
life easier!"

Grammatik and Proofreader are compatible with all

CP/M. MS-DOS (including IBM PC), and TRS-80 word

processors.

Current CP/M formats:

standard 8". NorthStar, Omikron TRS-80.
Please call or write for details of minimum system
sizes, and availability of additional disk and operating
system formats. Shipping costs included.
Please specify your system configuration when
ordering. Dealer inquiries invited.
MS-DOS versions scheduled for March 1982 release.

Proofreader Grammatik
CP/M. MS-DOS $129.00 $149.00

TRS-80 Model II $99.00 $99.00

TRS-80 Mod. I/III $54.00 $59.00

(Model l/III interactive correction option - $30.00)

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 6

Trademarks: CP/M: Uigital Research; TRS-80; Tandy Corp.;
Proofreader. Grammatik: Aspen Software Co.

wssmE

P.O. Box 339-A, Tijeras, NM 87059
(505)281-1634

II /

cui I un n I uu I CDUun

Are standards worthwhile?

The subject of standards always seems
to create controversy. Many consumer
support groups are advocating standards
to allow most products to interface to the
maximum number of other products— this
includes hardware and software. Many
designers and manufacturers, on the
other hand, want the flexibility to create
newer and better products. But the dis-
cussion should deal more with how an
item is designated a standard— not what
the standard should be.

Consider programming languages.
Many of the well-known languages have
been formalized and standardized— a
number of times. Fortran, Basic, Pascal
and (more recently) Ada have all had
standards written, proposed and possibly
adopted. That should make programs
written in these languages transportable
from one computer system to another.
That would be nice. But how many times
have you been able to do this?

We've had several people ask, "Why
doesn't every semi-conductor manufac-
turer use the same assembly language?"
They want to use their existing programs
on more modern, more sophisticated
and higher performance processors.
But it's only natural to assume that a
more advanced device would require
new instructions to take advantage of
the new features. Consequently, there
will be changes in the assembly language.
It's particularly difficult to use the same
set of assembly mnemonics for different
microprocessors that accomplish things
differently. Prolog has made an attempt
at it, but few people use those mne-
monics and we doubt that any assembler
exists that translates them to any
machine code. Even so, if a standard
assembly language were created, some-
one would bastardize it to suit his
purpose.

Higher level languages have fared
much better in this standardization
battle, but problems still exist. One
microcomputer manufacturer provides
a Fortran compiler that "Meets ANS
Fortran 77 Subset Language Specifica-
tion," but it also specifies that special
extensions are added. Is this now
meeting the standard? Another popular
business language, Cobol, is described
as meeting and exceeding "minimum
ANSI Level 1 Standard for Cobol (X3.23-
1974)". If it truly meets the standard,
I'd consider it compatible. But if it
exceeds the standard, can it be con-
sidered compatible? Maybe it's upward-
compatible but not necessarily down-
ward-compatible.

The point is, just because someone
claims compatibility with a standard

doesn't mean a program will operate
equally well on different systems. I think
improvements and modifications to
existing software standards are often
welcomed and seldom rejected. If
everyone had standardized on Fortran
1 5 years ago (Fortran-66), would there
have been a need for Fortran-77? Or
would we have the opportunity to use
more powerful languages such as
Pascal and the soon-to-be standard Ada?

Operating systems fall into the same
one-upmanship category. Some claim
CP/M is a standard, others claim it's not
even an operating system. In any case,
it is the de facto standard operating
system in the personal computer arena.
But CP/M has not been designated a
standard by any group, and it has not
been adopted by any software com-
mittee. CP/M is perhaps one of the best
examples of a non-standard being
accepted by the maximum number of
users. Watch what happens as the
multiuser operating systems develop.
MP/M, OASIS, and UNIX are major con-
tenders for the welterweight champions
in terms of multiusers. Even if one wins
out over another— and that's unlikely as
things stand now— someone, some-
where, will come along and improve it.
CP/M just happened to be in the right
place at the right time (first) and hundreds
of application programs that operate
under CP/M are available— MP/M is likely
to come out a winner for the same reason.

Many hardware standards have been
adopted for the microcomputer industry,
some merely by default, others only
after a great deal of effort. It seems that
the effort that has gone into creating
standards is seldom justified, at least
for economic purposes, in the end
product. Consider Intel's Multibus
which, although superior in terms of
capacity and performance, is not used
in small business computers due to the
inherent cost of the typically larger
boards. The other well-known bus
standard is the S-100 bus, which was
conceived and nurtured by the personal
computer business. Even with this
approved standard hardware interface,
products using the S-100 bus tend to
be more expensive than those custom-
designed for a particular application.

Companies like Radio Shack and Apple,
with two of the most popular personal
computer systems, have each created
an internal hardware bus along with
unique software operating systems.
Evidently the consumer is not concerned
with standards but is concerned with
low price. I don't believe that standard-
izing internal busses can help to create
low price in personal computers, but

JUNE 1982

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The Link from Panasonic.

The portable computer that lets you taice the advantages

of an office computer anyvirhere you go.

The Link.

It's the next
major business
tool because it's a
full-logic computer

tko+'o ^iill\# r^z-M'+oKlz-N Exchange information with Other computers

inaiS TUIiy pOnaOie. with the telephone modem.

By itself, it can perform a wide shipments, enter orders

variety of sophisticated comput-
er functions because it can store
4K bytes of information. Equally
important, it can link you to the
information and brainpower of
your main office computer—
wherever you go. You can program
in Microsoft Basic.® Yet it's easy to
operate, even if you've never
worked with a computer before.

Imagine. Using just The Link,
anyone in the field, the plant or on
the sales floor— like salesmen,
managers, engineers or retailers —
can now answer questions that
used to mean a trip back to the
office. A sales engineer, for
example, types data into The Link
and gets detailed product infor-
mation and specs on the spot.

And The Link is part of an
entire computer system: By
adding different optional com-
ponents, you can create what-
ever kind of computer you need.
Wherever you need it.

By adding the telephone
modem, for example, a salesman
can put his company's main
office computer or a data bank

to work for him
from any tele-
phone booth. He
can check credit
ratings and in-
ventory, trace
make

bids and estimates, and much
more. So The Link can make him
and his office computer much
more productive.

By adding the microprinter,
the salesman gets hard copies of
information right on the spot— an
instant record of his transactions.

By adding the TV adapter,
he can display information and
8-color charts on any color TV

more memory, other optional
components increase The Link's
capacity to 52K RAM plus 64K
ROM. That's more than many
desktop computers.

The Link measures only
9" X 4", weighs only 21 ounces.

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Display information and charts with the TV adapter.

screen. So he can use data from
his office computer to develop
a sales presentation in a motel
room. And show it on a client's
video monitor the next day.

If the salesman needs to
work with a bigger program and

Take The Link and all its components anywhere
in its slim attach^ case.

and runs on AC or rechargeable
batteries.

And it costs only $600.00.*
That's amazingly small when you
realize the big change it could
make in the way you do business.

'Manufacturer's suggested price.

Panasonic Company, Portable Computers '

One Panasonic Way, Secaucus, N.J. 07094

D Please send me information on The Link.
G Please have a salesman call me.

NAME-
TITLE-

PLEASE POINT

COMPANY-

TYPE OF BUSINESS

ADDRESS

CITY , STATE .

PHONE NUMBER-

Panasonic.

The Link. It will change the way the world uses computers.

I just slightly ahead of our time, ia .

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 64

INTERFACE AGE 9

ECHO

SPEECH SYNTHESIZERS

r- --

1 (

1 1

—

[ -
1

CONVERSATION PIECES

Let your computer speak up with an ECHO speech synthesizer. Besides the popular ECHO II (Apple), we now have the new
ECHO GP (general purpose, serial/parallel).

ECHO speech synthesizers use LPC synthesis pioneered by Texas Instruments. Our SPEAKEASY'" phoneme system provides
unlimited vocabulary while using a minimum of memory. The TEXTALKER'" speech generator, standard with all ECHOs,
incorporates nearly 400 grammatical rules to translate normal English text to speech automatically. Simple commands allow
you to select from:

• 63 different pitch levels

• Words spoken monotonically or with intonation

• Fast or slow speech output

• Entire words pronounced or spelled letter by letter

• Different volumes

• Spoken punctuation if desired

The applications for the ECHO speech synthesizers are virtually unlimited, ranging from business and education to games to
aiding the handicapped.

For more information or a demonstration see your dealer or contact:

IME

Street Electronics Corporation

3152 E. La Palma Avenue, Suite D inquiry no 72

Anaheim, CA 92806 Tel: 714-632-9950 ^'"^'-^ "-Q"'"^ '-o- ^^

WHY PAY MORE FOR THE BEST CP/M® SOFTWARE?

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cuiiunriiuuicEiuun

the diversification of hardware designs
can certainly promote innovations and
consequent lower cost.

The undisputed leader in the computer
industry, IBM, has not conformed to any
standard for its personal computers. In
fact, products from different IBM
divisions frequently have trouble com-
municating with each other. Even though
IBM has chosen a popular— not standard
—microprocessor (Intel's 8088) and
the de facto standard operating system
(CP/M 86), the company did not in any
way try to standardize its internal bus.

IBM has not even provided the usual
system components, meaning the
consumer will have to depend on out-
side source for items such as Winchester
drives and application software. The IBM
personal computer should not be
considered a standard — at least not yet.
Many of IBM's past products have
become known as standards but not by
committee— merely by sheer volume.

Those companies inundating the
market with an important product don't
really create a true standard; they merely
create an environment for entrepreneurs
and technical innovators to produce
expansion capabilities for an individual
system. Standards typically take too long
to be created, approved and adopted
for the burgeoning personal computer
market to stand by and wait for a stand-
ard—be it hardware or software.

Let's consider some of the problems
that have occurred with so-called
standards. An item is finally adopted as
an official standard after months or even
years of discussions. Then some com-
puter whiz thinks he can make it just a
little better by adding a feature or two.
Meanwhile, another equally clever

JUNE 1982

person is doing the same thing— only a
different way. Both of the products are
claimed to be compatible with— or
maybe better than— the standard. But
even though compatible, there really is
not a standard anymore! You can present
this scenario for a number of hardware
and software products.

There are some engineers who would
like to improve the performance of their
microcomputer systems by pulling out
present microprocessors and simply

Even the leading

computer manufacturer

has not conformed to

any standard

plugging in higher speed, higher per-
formance devices. (This is possible for
devices in the same family.) There are
others that would be content with pulling
out a board and plugging in a higher
performance board. (This is quite
popular but the software usually dis-
agrees with the idea.) On the peripheral
side, we fortunately have some standard
interfaces that allow use of several
manufacturers' equipment for both
parallel printer interfaces and serial
terminal interfaces.

Now we get to the hard part: attempt-
ing to standardize disk drives. Most of
the single density 8-in. drives allow an
interchange of media between systems
and even some of the 5 1/4-in. disks
can be written on one type of computer
system and read on another. But this is

not true for every case. Actually, the
promoters of disk standardization are
more interested in hardware interface
than in media interchange. Some of the
standards supporters would like to see
the computer, the associated peripherals
and the software interface with each
other as conveniently as the products
found in a stereo components store.
The argument is that since you have
such a wide choice of audio equipment,
the consumer can obtain the products
at a much more favorable price.

The question is not merely whether
products can interface with a particular
microcomputer system but whether they
can interface with all microcomputer
systems. This standard interface is to
be provided not only through the tangle
of wire strung across a cluttered desk-
Vop, but also through the myriad of
useful programs available on the market
today. Many software products are well-
accepted for operation on one brand of
computer, but in order to operate on
another popular unit they will have to be
modified by the author to accommodate
the limitations or enhancements of
other computer systems.

Many of the concepts used in de-
veloping new microcomputer products
have attained notoriety primarily because
a designer or innovator tried to improve
an existing design and did come up with
something better. Languages such as
Fortran, Basic and Pascal have all had
standards written, proposed and ac-
cepted, but all of these have been
"improved" by industrious programmers.

It is fortunate, however, that there
are some standards in this industry. The
RS-232 interface is a good example. But

INTERFACE AGE 11

cLiiiun^iuuicDUun

even this stalwart of the computer indus-
try is not necessarily fully implemented
according to this standard by all manu-
facturers. In fact, few manufacturers
understand the true meaning of the
RS-232 intentions and most can claim
only limited compatibility. Yet we still
have hundreds of peripheral devices
that adequately interface with the
RS-232 ports.

While we agree in principle with some
of the concepts of standardizing, we

don't believe that any standard should be
forced on either suppliers or consumers.
In many cases, standards just don't
benefit the consumer. A standard could
be available, but optional, for manu-
facturers interested in adopting that
standard. If it proves to be cost-effective,
it may even be accepted by the public.
In any case, innovation should not be
discouraged by standards. And it is
unlikely that every consumer would be
willing to have the identical system

And We Take It Seriously!

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ca^tdl gS^, and mud) mors; easy to operatte because^ ^UF^^ait^ogP instructions, automatic
posting anjpq^ loans, and poswrfui jtemfrfng features; prints in tRS format tor direct filing, iffcki'dtajg
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both analyses ol cash flow & R-OI and cllenl-oriented report pn'nlouls; allows what-if studies for
changes in property values, loans, rents, taxes, operating expenses and the value of money; perfect for
cash and profit projections on new or old rental property.

ALL 3 ARE UP-TO-DATE WITH THE LATEST TAX LAWS, INCLUDING ACRS
DEPRECIATION AS CREATED BY THE 1981 ECONOMIC RECOVERY ACT

^ i A Howard Software Services

. loi Ihe SERIOUS Personal Computer User .
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anyway. Some people just like to be
different. Our country was built on the
concepts of freedom of choice, and
imposing standards removes one of the
basic rights of human development.

—re

New breed of software

During this year's West Coast Com-
puter Faire (San Francisco, CA), the
single most frequently-heard topic had
to do with innovations in user-friendly
software. Manufacturers are apparently
awakening to the fact that the new
breed of computer users want to simply
turn the machine on and let it go— they
aren't interested in complicated
manuals, lengthy documentation or
struggling with the peculiarities of
various languages and machines. The
computer user in the post-hobbyist era
simply wants to plug in his machine and
quickly get the program up and running.

Particularly vocal in their feelings on
this matter were Martin Dean and Zev
Rattlet, President and Vice-President
respectively, of Select Information
Systems (Kentfield, CA). The company's
Select word processing system (see
review in next month's issue) is self-
teaching, English-speaking and capable
of being learned In 90 minutes, accord-
ing to Dean and Ratlett. Carrying the
user-friendly theme a step further, the
company Introduced its newest product
at the Faire. The Teach/M program Is
designed solely to teach the user how
to work with the CP/M operating system
(Digital Research, Pacific Grove, CA)
with minimal effort.

In a similar vein, Taurus Software
(San Francisco, CA) introduced CP-»-,
an enhancement that replaces the
CP/M command structure with a series
of English language menus, messages
and directions designed for beginners.
It also allows CP/M to perform multiple
simultaneous functions.

Yet another user-friendly product is
Personal/Pearl by Relational Systems
(Salem, OR). This program-generation
software, also interacting with the user
in simple English, requires only a
56K-byte RAM unit operating under
CP/M. Thus a wide range of users with
various types of equipment have easy
access to custom programming.

The result of this new trend— exfra
user-friendly software— will undoubtedly
be a healthy upturn in the number of
users drawn to the computer mystique.
As the convenience of using computer
equipment becomes more obvious,
more businesspeople, educators and
users of all types are bound to hop on
the bandwagon. —LS

12 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 40

JUNE 1982

IS THIS LEVEL OF RELIABILITY
- REALLY NECESSARY? —

ACCUTRACK ^

V.*- '5 • ^

,\f^

,v&'

x^^

O^'

Mini

^^at DISKS

^#_-

If you Ve ever lost data due to a
faulty disk, you know how impor-
tant reliability can be.

That's why Accu track disks are
critically certified at 2-3 times the
error threshold of your system.
Why they're precision fabricated for
higher signal quality, longer life and
less head wear. And why we take
such extra steps as testing single-
density mini disks at double-density
levels. So you don't have to worry
about the reliability of your media.

Accu track disks. OEMs have
specified them for years. You can
trust them for your data. Call toll-
free (800225-8715) for yournearest
dealer.

ACCUTRACK

Dennison KYBE Corporation

82 Calvary Street, Waltham, Mass. 02254
Tel. (617) 899-0012; Telex 94-0179
Outside Mass. call toll free (800) 225^715
Offices & representatives worldwide

Dealers: Give your customers a
choice— Accutrack's OEM perform-
ance as well as your heavily adver-
tised brand. We have the industry's
only complete line of disks, cas-
settes and mag cards, including
virtually all special formats.
If you want a quality line, small
minimums, the ability to mix
and match, private labeling,
fast delivery and great price, call
today. Find out how responsive a
media supplier can be.

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 50

INTERFACE AGE 13

%^^l

TO BECOME THE LEADER

ITIF^TTTTTJWFTOT^TT*

HAD TO GIVE YOU MORL-

WFRESnU GIVING YOU,
MORE WITH OUR NEW *-
SMALL BUSINESS COMPUTERS.

/The new TS 802 business computer.

In three short years, TeleVideo
became the number one independent
supplier of CRT terminals in a very
competitive marketplace.

We did it by designing and build-
ing terminals v^ith more performance,
reliability, features and functions than
the competition.

But at a lov^er price.

Nov^ TeleVideo has entered the
even more competitive microcomputer
marketplace. And v^e intend to
repeat that success v^ith the same
basic philosophy:

By providing big system perfor-
mance and features. And TeleSolutions
—a hardv^are/softv^are package
that includes v^ord processing and
financial planning softv^are programs.

For a price lov^er than many of the
lov^ performance personal computers.

TELEVIDEO'S TS 802

AND TS 802H.

THE COMPUTERS THAT

GIVE YOU MORE.

The TS 802 is TeleVideo's lov^est
priced computer.

Yet it gives you many more of the
important features found only in
larger computers costing much more.

• Like modular design for easier
maintenance.

• High speed Z80A microprocessor
v^ith 64K bytes of RAM main memory
—enough memory to handle most
business applications.

• The CP/M operating system,
v^hich is included at no additional cost
to give you access to more micro-
computer softv^are programs than any
other operating system.

• An upv^ard grov^th path through

a unique multiple processor, building
block architecture.

• Dual 5% inch double density
diskettes v^ith a million bytes of
unformatted storage capacity

• A high resolution, non- glare
video screen v^ith detached key-
board—just tv^o examples of our
innovative, ergonomic computer
design.

•Tv^oR232C serial
ports for a printer
and modem.

• And a high speed port for plug-in
expansion to a larger multi-user, multi-
tasking TeleVideo computer system.
But suppose you need more stor-
age. TeleVideo's next model up, the TS
802H, gives you all the same features
of the TS 802. But instead of tv^o floppy
diskettes, it uses one floppy diskette
and a 5 J4 inch Winchester hard disk to
give you 10 million bytes of unfor-
matted storage capacity — 10 times the
storage for only tv^ice the price of the
TS 802.

COMPUTERS THAT GROW
AS YOUR NEEDS GROW.

The TS 802 and TS 802H are more
than just single-user, stand alone com-
puters.

When it's time to expand, simply
plug them into TeleVideo's more pov^-
erfiil TS 806 or TS 816 multi-user,
multi-tasking systems. The TS 802s
then become intelligent, fast response
satellite stations.

And because each has its ov^n
CPU, there's none of the degradation
of throughput and contention for a
single CPU that slov^s dov^n the typical
shared system. Each user maintains
full processing capability in a shared
file environment.

With TeleVideo, there's no obso-
lescence. Because of the unique multi-
CPU architecture and TeleVideo's
multi-tasking softv^are, the TS 802s do
not have to be replaced as your data
processing needs grov^.

TELESOLUTIONSr

THE SOFTWARE PACKAGE

THAT GIVES YOU MORE.

Instead of offering you just a business
microcomputer, TeleVideo is offering a
computer and sof tv^are package
called TeleSolutions. And instead of
offering you just any soft-
ware, TeleSolutions

offers you the
most popular,
most versatile
softv^are:
MicroPro's®
■ v^ord proces-
• WordStar^
^and business
f planning
CalcStar^^
Whether you
ov^n a small
business, manage a
department in a company,
or are your organization's DP manager,
the combination of TeleVideo com-

puters v^ith WordStar and CalcStar
gives you the quality text editing and
financial planning help you'll need.
If you do require more softv^are, out
CP/M operating system allov^s you
to choose from the voidest variety of
microprocessor sof tv^are.

When you buy either the TS 802
at $3,495^ or TS 802H at $6,995^
TeleVideo includes WordStar and
CalcStar for a special price of $500—
a savings of nearly $300.

WORLDWIDE SERVICE.

TeleVideo's small business com-
puters are serviced by a professional
nationv^ide service netv^ork, and
distributors in the U.S. and in 27
countries abroad.

THE BEHER BUSINESS

SOLUTION?
PROVE IT TO YOURSELF.

Before you begin evaluating business
computers make a list of v^hat you'd
like one to do for you. Then bring that
list to one of TeleVideo's computer
dealers throughout the v^orld. Sit dovm
at a TeleVideo® computer Study the
TeleSolutions Package. Even try another
computer. Compare the features, the
functions, and the performance.

And compare the price.

We don't think you'll find a better
business solution than TeleVideo and
TeleSolutions.

For more information call toll free
800-538-1780.

^IbleVided

I TeleVideo Systems, Inc.

I Dept. #618A

I 11 70 Morse Avenue

I Sunny vale, CA 94086

I Please send details on TeleVideo computers

I and TeleSolutions to;

NAME_
TITLE.

COMPANY.
ADDRESS_
CITY

STATE.

_ZIP_

PHONE « (_

TeleSolutions™ is a trademark of TeleVideo Svstems, Inc
WordStar™ and CalcStar*" are trademarks of MicroPro
International Corporation.

CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research Inc,
*Prices are suggested retail excluding applicable state
and local taxes— Continental U.S.A., Alaska and Hawaii.

Northeast Region 617/369-9370. Eastern Region 212/308-0705, Southeast Region 404/447-1231; Midwest Region 312/969-0112.
South Central Region 214/258-6776. Northwest Region 408/745-7760. Southwest Region 714/978-6038; European Sales (Holland) 31-075-28-7461

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 76

AN ATARI 800r HOME COMPUTER
AND A FATHERS LOVE COMBINED
TO HELP CHILDREN EVERYWHERE

Fernando Herrera became the first
grand prize winner of the ATARI
Software Acquisition Program
(ASAP) competition because he
believed in computers, his son
and himself.

The story of Herrera s success
began with his son's sight problems.
Young Steve Herrera had been
born with severe cataracts in both
eyes and, naturally, his father
was concerned. Herrera reasoned
that the boy s learning abilities
could be seriously affected by grow-
ing up in a world he could not see.

Having just purchased an
ATARI 800 Home Computer, it
occured to Herrera that this could
be the perfect tool for testing
Steve's vision. So he wrote a, pro-
gram simply displaying the letter
"E" in various sizes.

Success! It turned out that
2-year-old Steve could see even
the smaller "E's" without special
lenses. Herrera was first relieved,
and then intrigued when he dis-
covered that not only could his son
see the "E's" but he would happily
play with the computer-generated
letters for hours. So Herrera added
a picture of an elephant to,go with
the "E',' and then more letters and
pictures. Thus, "My First Alphabet"
was bom, a unique teaching program for chil-
dren two-years and older consisting of 36 high
resolution pictures of letters and numbers.

Herrera submitted the program to the
ATARI Program Exchange, where it became
an instant best-seller. ATARI was so im-
pressed with the outstanding design, suit-
ability and graphic appeal of "My First
Alphabet!' that the program is being incorpo-
rated into the ATARI line of software.

In addition to his grand prize winnings
of $25,000 in cash and an ATARI STAR
trophy, Herrera also automatically receives
royalties from sales of his program through
the ATARI Program Exchange.

But Fernando Herrera wasn't the only soft-
ware "star" that ATARI discovered. Three
other ATARI STARS were awarded at the
ASAP awards ceremony for software sub-
mitted to the ATARI Program Exchange and

16 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

gabcdefghijkL
• I- HH-i/VJA.-
♦abcdefshijkl

judged by ATARI to be particu-
larly unique and outstanding,

Ron and Lynn Marcuse of
Freehold, New Jersey teamed
up to write three winning
entries in the Business and Pro-
fessional category for home
computers: "Data Management
System" "The Diskette Librar-
ian" and "The Weekly Planner."

Sheldon Leeman of Oak Park^
Michigan, captured an ATARI
STAR for his exceptionally
well-engineered "INSTEDIT"
character set editor

Greg Christensen of
Anaheim, California, became
our youngest ATARI STAR
winner at the age of 17.
Christensen designed the
clever "Caverns of Mars" game
program, which also will be
incorporated into the ATARI
product line. Greg designed
the program in lYi months
after owning his ATARI Home
Computer for less than a year.

Every three months, ATARI
awards ATARI STARS to the
writers of software programs
submitted to the ATARI Software
Acquisition Program and judged first,
second and third place in the following
categories: Consumer (including entertain-
ment, personal interest and development);
Education; Business and Professional pro-
grams for the home (personal finance and
record keeping); and System Software.

Quarterly prizes consist of selected ATARI
products worth up to $3,000, as well as an
ATARI STAR, plus royalties from program
sales through the ATARI Program Exchange.
The annual grand prize is the coveted ATARI
STAR trophy and $25,000 in cash.

To be eligible, your software idea must be
accepted by the ATARI Software Acquisition
Program. Your program can have a broad
application or serve a very specific purpose.

OATA DICTIC

X HAH£ L,F Z&

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After submittal, consultation
from ATARI is available if you
need personal assistance with
sound, graphics, or other tech-
nical aspects of your program.

To make your job easier,
ATARI provides some 20
software development tools
through the ATARI Program
Exchange. A list and descrip-
tion of tne various system
software is published quarterly
in the ATARI Program Ex-
change Catalog. These tools
enable you to utilize all the
ATARI resources and software,
including the six ATARI
programming languages.

Fernando Herrera had a
great idea that made him a star.
ATARI would like to give you
the same opportunity.

ATARI

. W^nef CofTtrnuntcalions CorripaJTV

Enter the ATARI ASAP competition and
you could win $25,000 in cash, royalties,
some great prizes and an ATARI STAR*

SUBMIT TO: ATARI® Software Acquisition Program
Dept. C22R, P.O. Box427
155MoffettParkDr.,B4
Sunnyvale, C A 94086

OR CALL: 800'538'1862; in California, 800-6724850.

I'm reaching for the stars. Please send me

an entry form today.

Name

Address-

City_

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ATfVRI HOME COMPUTERS

We Ve Brought The Computer Age Home?"

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 9

INTERFACE AGE 17

STANDARD

• 64K internal memory. • Up to 1 .5

Megabytes of dual disk storage — easily

expandable to 10 Megabytes. • Twin RS-232 serial

ports. • A CP/Mt disk operating system. • Two 4 MHZ

Z80A Processors for faster response. • A Full 80 x 24 line

display on a 1 2-inch non-glare screen. • Optional graphics capability.

SUPE^BRAIN

It used to be that buying a microcomputer was a simple
task. There were only two or three manufacturers offering
them and comparing prices and specifications was easy to do.
Today, Intertec is no longer one of a handful of micro-
computer vendors trying to attract your attention, but. . . we
think we're still the best. And for a good reason.

Consider pricing. Our customers tell us we're still the
price/performance leader in single-user and multi-user micro-
computer systems. Ask around. Most folks (and even some
manufacturers) will concede that point. What a lot of people

*A( participating dealers only. Refunds are prorated.

do not know is that Intertec may very well offer the best
customer protection programs in the industry. What is
customer protection? It's a totally new, comprehensive
product and customer support program which virtually
guarantees your long term satisfaction with every new
Intertec product you buy. It means that if you are not satisfied
with your Intertec purchase, you can get your money back at
any time during the original factory warranty.* Or, in the
unlikely event your equipment should become inoperative
during the first few weeks of the warranty period, we will

FEATURES

• True multi-user capability — network

up to 255 users. • Up to 1 .5 Million bytes of

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workstation. • A CP/Mf operating system.

• 10 — 384 Megabytes of auxiliary disk storage.

COMPUSTAR

replace it for you! And we'll even provide a reimbursement
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Go ahead. Review the pricing and performance specifi-
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you'll agree with us. . . ours are still the best! If you want
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INTERTEC

DATA

SYSTEMS

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(803) 798-9 1 00/TWX: 8 1 0-666-2 1 1 5

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 46

"This year, I'm taking 2,000

people sailing. I wouldn't trust the

travel arrangements to anything less

than Scotch' Brand Diskettes!'

Eben Whitcomb, Owner-
Operator, Dirigo Cruise
Company, Clinton, CT

Eben Whitcomb runs the largest
windjammer cruise business using
American flag ships. He uses
Scotch diskettes to keep track of
thousands of names, bookings,
sailing times, manifests and general
ledger. While his computer saves
time and repetition, Scotch diskettes
assure him that vital information
will be there when he needs it.

Dependable Scotch media can
work just as hard for you. Each
Scotch diskette is tested before it
leaves our factory, and guaranteed
error-free. So you can expect it to
perform exactly right.

Scotch 8" and 5V4" diskettes are
compatible with computer/diskette
systems likeTRS-80, Apple, PET,
Wang and many others. Get them
from your local 3M distributor. For
the one nearest you, call toll-free:
800/328-1300. (In Minnesota, call
collect: 612/736-9625.) Ask for the
Data Recording Products Division.
In Canada, contact 3M Canada,
Inc., Ontario.

If it's worth remembering,

it's worth Scotch

Data Recording Products.

dishe

3M Hears You.

20 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 55

JUNE 1982

Lt 1 1 tnd

The naked computer

Re: "The Classroom Computer is
Naked!" (I A Mar 81 ), I am a high school
student who uses a computer, and I'm
shocked at the viewpoints of the article's
author, Frank L. Lambert. The computer
system that we have at our school is not
a complex system, but it is very instruc-
tive for the students.

Lambert complains about the lack of
available courseware. In my opinion,
this is an asset rather than a drawback.
This affords the student with the oppor-
tunity to learn how to use the system
while writing the required programs.

As to his suggested solutions, I don't
agree. His advocacy of a national
network contradicts what he had said
earlier in the article: that timesharing is
not a good idea. Concerning his sugges-
tion for wider use of videodisks, I believe
this would limit the imagination of the
student somewhat.

Since the computer is used in almost
every type of business, any education
in the field should be encouraged.

Michael T. Walker
Bath, ME

The article is a remarkable collection
of half-truths, misleading generalizations
and straw men. Although computer
educators disagree over the best
approach to computer literacy, I know
of no educators promoting computer
literacy as Lambert describes it: "A
deep understanding of computer func-
tions and programming." He certainly
has no difficulty toppling this straw man.

His diatribe on commercial courseware
ignores products that have been avail-
able and in use for over 18 months.
Programs that he says do not exist—
those that accommodate many levels of
student performance and keep records
of student progress— are available from
at least three major publishers, and not
just in mathematics.

Having dismissed current efforts, he
proceeds with his own images of the
future: courseware stored on central
computers and piped into homes and
schools, and computer-assisted video
instruction. I agree that each of these
concepts will have a productive impact
on education, but most educators do
not share an image of the future that in-
cludes either a widespread unmodif iable
curriculum as he implies in the first, or a
very expensive lab in which students sit
and get a major portion of their instruc-
tion "from art to zoology."

Computers are being used in schools
today in a wide variety of instructional
applications. It is an exciting challenge
to Improve our efforts in these areas,

JUNE 1982

and we all agree with Lambert that
improvement is necessary. Educators
are active in teacher training, curriculum
development, and idea sharing through
conferences and newsletters. Others
concentrate on dissemination of public
domain courseware or evaluation of
commercial programs. Some groups
seek to influence legislation, the
content of courseware or the licensing
policies of the publishers. Others are
actively producing high quality software
in large quantity and distributing it at
reasonable prices.

William J. Wagner, Ph.D.

Co-ordinator for Computer Education

Santa Clara County Office of Education

San Jose, CA

My challenge to you is to take any
half-dozen samples from major programs
into an average elementary teacher's
classroom — in contrast to the vocation-
ally-based area where you work. Would
they be rated by the users as high-grade
teaching aids? If you would reread my
article, you would find that I did not
suggest that there are no multigrade
major programs. I said the prospect is
grim if you expect to find high-grade
courseware. Which of the "three major
publishers' " programs do you rate as
A-grade? FLL

Computers by mail update

While I enjoyed Tom Fox's article
"Update: Computers by Mail" (/A Mar
82), I was disappointed to find that our
company was omitted from the listing of
mail order sources. Our 56-page catalog
contains a complete line of standardized
checks, invoices, statements, diskettes,
ribbons, printwheels and other accessor-
ies geared specifically to the micro-
computer user. We will be happy to send
a free catalog to anyone requesting it.

James R. Thatcher

Nebs Computer Forms

78 Hollis St.

Groton, MA 01450

We would like to bring attention to
our current mailing address. The incor-
rect address was published in the chart
that accompanied your article.

Jeremy B. Kline

Priority One Electronics

9161 Deering Ave.

Chatsworth. CA 91311

The computer stores would have you
believe that you will receive good
support if you buy from them at list
price. The question that needs to be
answered is "Do you get good support
at a reasonable price?"

ATARI

400W/16K « 319°°

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810 Disk Drive « 449°°

830 Modem ..' 159°°

850 Interface " 159°°

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LO-B ALL COMPUTERS

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Beaverton, OR 97075
APO/FPO welcomed

CALL (503) 641-0211

Ordering Information: For fastest ser-
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orders, add 3%. Personal checks
accepted (allow minimum lOdaysto
clear). Hours 9-5, M-F.

Call For Our Free Price List

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 54 INTERFACE AGE 21

Main/Frames

LL 1 1 tnd

Consider the following purchase:
Apple II with 48K bytes, disk drive with
interface card, Zenith monitor. You can
save about $550 by ordering through
the mail. Based on the $50 per hour
figure quoted for support, the amount
saved equates to 1 1 hours of support.
Buy this system at the computer store
and see if you can collect 1 1 hours of
support.

The facts of the matter are that most
anyone can do well by ordering through
the mail by exercising a little judgement.
Mail order is here to stay, whether
Apple and Computerland like it or not.

M.K. Powell
Redmond, WA

Price update

The article "Data Base Managers: Four
for the Apple" (lA Apr 82) was well-
written. The discussion of our Datadex
system, however, was not up-to-date in
its price. Current price is $150.

William Lohse

Vice-President of Sales

and Marketing

Information Unlimited Software

Berkeley, CA

Revised guide available

In regard to the excellent article
"What to Do Until the Computer
Comes" by Rocky Smolin (I A Mar 82), I
would like to add a few comments.

ASK Computer Systems provides
several support services to its custom-
ers—such as the installation planning
guide referenced in the article.
However, to allay any confusion among
our customers and your readers, note
that this particular guide is no longer
in use.

A revised Implementation Planning
Guide provides a checklist of steps to
take for a successful MANMAN installa-
tion, as well as guidelines for establishing
project teams, defining principles
techniques and operating procedures.
It is available to users through our
Software Subscription Service.

Mark Ripma

ASK Computer Systems

Los Altos, CA

Hexadecimal is here

The hexadecimal numbering system—
a system whose time has come! Jim Tall-
man is commended for his discussion of
it In your recent feature article (lA Feb
82). Its use is expanding. It is used to
specify computer addresses. And
memory contents. Tl puts out a calcu-
lator that performs hex arithmetic. The
hex system facilitates calculating binary

sequences— such as the number of
ancestors so many generations back.
Clearly the Arabic-decimal system will
receive early retirement.

We differ with Mr. Tallman on one
point only— his favor of using letters of
the alphabet for supra-nine digits. We
feel that including six more characters
on typewriter and printer heads is a
small price to pay for avoiding the con-
fusion that his letters attend. For
instance, I am presently using some
0AC5's in the design of control systems
for testing machines. How should they
be carried in inventory? Are those first
three characters digits or letters of the
alphabet? My computer filing system is
set up on clear differentiation. I can file
them in eight different places. No matter
how I file them, the next person looking
for an 0AC5 will have to guess where to
look. Ridiculous. As long as letters of the
alphabet are used for the supra-nine
digits, the hexadecimal numbering
system is not a system. It is a mess.

It is suggested that we drop the
"mess" characters and adopt a fully
computer-compatible system.

James E. Hubbell
Indianapolis, IN

More on computer artists

Your February 1 982 issue has some
very informative articles. Particularly, the
article on graphics for small businesses
showed a great deal of research. Though
it is good to see an article on art, the
article on Howard Ganz was dreadfully
misinformed about art and artists in the
computer graphics field. There have
been many exhibits of art made with the
aid of computers. These exhibits have
been mounted since the 1960s and
there are a number of internationally
known artists in the field. I hope you will
continue to do profiles of computer
artists in the future.

22 INTERFACE AGE ciRCUE inquiry no. 46

Nancy Gerbarg
New York, NY

Pocket exchange

I have been using a Tl 58C for the last
several years to help price my custom
jewelry and do other calculations in my
business. I intend to buy a pocket com-
puter soon to replace the calculator,
which is programmed to its limit several
times.

Bob McEl wain's "Power in your
Pocket" column has been very useful in
helping me see the power of the PCs. I
was concerned that I should bypass the
"toy" and buy a more expensive micro.
Now I see the pocket computer as a

JUNE 1982

COMMODORE
VS.IBM

APPLEJANDY AND ALL THE OTHERS

"READ THE CHART AND SEEWHICH COMPUTER COSTS LESS
AND GIVES YOU MORE FOR YOUR MONEY."

—WILLIAM SHATNER

COMPARE OUR $995 COMPUTER

FEATURES

COMMODORE
4016

IBM®

APPLE
II®

TRS-80®
MODEL III

Base Price

$ 995

$1565

$1330

$ 999

12" Green Screen

Standard

345

299

IEEE Interface

TOTAL

Standard

$ 995

NO
$1910

300

$ 999

$1929

Intelligent Peripherals

Standard

Real Time Clock

Standard

Upper & Lower Case Letters

Standard

Separate Numeric Key Pad

Standard

Maximum SVa" Disk Capacity Per Drive

500K

160K

143K

178K

These systems were configured to approximate the capabilities of the
vary in their degree of expandability.

16K PET* 4016. Disk drives a

nd printers are not in

eluded in prices

Models shown

WHY COMMODORE

The idea of a computer in every office and home used to
be science fiction. But that idea is now becoming reality.
The question is, with so many to choose from, which
computer should youbuy. When you considerthe facts,
the clearchoice is Commodore:

1 Commodore is the only personal computer company
with a full line of computers — from our $299.95
VIC-20 to the economical PET^ and CBM''" (see
chart) to our new SuperPET computer that speaks 5
computer languages.

2 Commodore isthe only U.S. personal computer com-
pany that manufactures its own semiconductor micro-
processors — the "heart" of all personal computers.
As a result, Commodore's computer system is more
affordable.

3 Commodore's proprietary "6502" microprocessor is
so technologically advanced and reliable that it's used in
all Apple and Atari computers, as well as many others.

4 Commodore 's CBM provides more storage power —
1 ,000,000 characters on 5 'A " dual disks — than any
system in its price range. More than IBM. More than
Apple. More than Tandy.

5 Commodore computer systems can be expanded to
I meet the needs of a growing business.

6 With over a quarter of a million computers sold world-
wide. Commodore is proven for performance and
reliability.

7 Sales in excess of $200,000,000 annually.

8 Commodore is listed on the New York
j Stock Exchange.

USES AND APPLICATIONS
Word Processing. It's easy on Commo-

JUNE 1982

dore — the most versatile, efficient and economical
computers in their price range.
Financial Planning and Budgeting. Through the use
of VisiCalc^''' ', the electronic worksheet. It lets you
explore all your financial alternatives in seconds.
Dow Jones Portfolio Management System-. Gives
you up-to-the-minute data on over 6,000 securities.
And more.

Data Management and Retrieval System. OZZ\
our information wizard, makes it easy for you.
Doctors' System. Our Medical Accounting System
(M AS)'^ offers a fast, flexible billing and accounts
receivablepackage.

Legal Time Accounting System (LTA)'*, Automatical
ly processes activities by client, attorney and action.
Accounting and Bookkeeping Systems.
• Accounts receivable • Accounts payable • Payrol I •
Inventory control • Job costing • Engineering • Person-
nel recordkeeping • Tax preparation.

WE WROTE THE BOOK ON SOFTWARE

The Commodore Software Encyclopedia is a compre-
hensive directory of software programs for:
• Business • Education • Recreation • Personal Use
Contains over 1 ,000 software applications to choose
from. Pick up a copy at your local Commodore dealer.
FULL SERVICE, FULL SUPPORT
Commodore dealers throughout the country offer
prompt local service. And our new national service con-
tract with TRW provides nationwide support. TRW is the
largest third-party related computer service organiza-
tion in the U.S. . with over 2 ,000 skilled technicians,
nationwide.

1 VisiCalc is a Trademark of Personal Softwear, Inc.

2 The Portfolio Management System was created by Micro
Business Systems, Inc.

3 OZZ wascreatcd by the Bristol Software Factory.

4 MAS and LTA were created by Cimarron Corp.

Commodore Computer Systems

681 Moore Road, King of Pruss'ia, PA 19406 ^ ^-6

Canadian Residents: Commodore Computer Systems

3370 Pharmacy Avenue

Agincourt, Ontario, Canada MIW 2K4

Please send me more information.

:i;:g;g;;;|j;Si^ompany _
City

-Zip .

Cc commodore

COMPUTER

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 15

Telephone

Interest Area

D Business D Education D Personal

INTERFACE AGE 23

Lt 1 1 end

good step into Basic and also very useful

itself.

Robert Hallett
Oakmont, PA

Setting things straight

Re: "System of the Month" (I A Feb
82), on the IBM Personal Computer. A
portion of the article states "Soon to be
available are the CP/M-86 operating
system and the UCSD Pascal environ-
ment by Digital Research."

As your article stated, CP/M-86 for
the IBM P.C. will soon be available
through IBM. However, Digital Research
offers Pascal/MT -i- for its CP/M oper-
ating system, not the UCSD Pascal.

Patricia S. Lucas

Digital Research

Pacific Grove, CA

Softec Microsystems (San Diego,
CA), sole licensor of the UCSD Pascal
p-System, also pointed out that it was
Softec— not Digital Research— that
licensed UCSD Pascal to IBM. TF

Tax audit

Re: "What the 1981 Tax Law Means
to You" (lA Mar 82). While informative,
the article contained several errors
regarding the tax consequences of
purchasing $1,000 of software. The
article correctly states that the present
value of $300 received in Year 1 is
$300. However, $300 invested at 20%
simple interest will generate principal
and interest of $622.08, not $400.

Moreover, the present value for the
"combination purchase" tax benefits
should be $310.59, rather than $296,
computed as follows: 145 + (65/1.20)

+ (63/1.202) + (63/1.203) +
(63/1 .20^) = 145 -h 55 -H 43.75 +
36.46 + 30.38 = 310.59.

Finally, the article reaches the wrong
conclusion: when yield rates are low,
the combination purchase is more ad-
vantageous, since low interest rates will
have little effect on the present value of
the future tax benefits. Conversely, the
direct purchase is the correct choice
when interest rates are high. In the
problem posed, a 23%, rather than 20%,
yield is neutral, that is, either choice will
result in equal tax savings at that yield.
Darryl W. Tang,
San Francisco, CA

Tangled up

Re: "Micro-Mathematician" by Dr.
John C. Nash (lA Dec 81 ), I tried to run
your Bauer-Reinsch matrix inversion but
got tangled up in the transliteration from
Comstar Basic to Microsoft. Can you
provide a listing in Microsoft, or some
similar language?

Douglas B. Nickerson
La Canada, CA

The Bauer/Reinsch Gauss Jordan
matrix inversion is one of the most
compact for performing this particular
task. Unfortunately, it is also highly con-
voluted. I suspect users will have trouble
with using the code listed in this column
because no mention is made of the
internal array structure used. I intend to
write about these matters in a future
column. For those who cannot wait, the
idea is to store a symmetric, square
matrix having two dimensions in a
vector— a single dimension array— in
row order. This puts the (1, 1) element of

the matrix in position 1 of the vector;
(2,1) in position 2; (2,2) in position 3;
(3,1) in position 4; and so on. The
general rule, using A for the matrix and V
for the vector is to put A(i,j) in \/( i*(i-1/
2 + Jl

The listing unfortunately uses the
label A for the vector that stores the
matrix labelled A in the column text. I
included the listing mainly to indicate the
complexity of the code used to demon-
strate the performance of Comstar, and
had not intended to discuss this algorithm
until a later column. JCN

Best of both worlds

'Timesharing vs. buying a microcompu-
ter—which is best?" asked David D.
Busch and William M. Taylor (lA Mar
82). Consider a blend of both. Micro-
computer owners use our telecommuni-
cations software. The Micro Link, to
hook into timesharing services. They
minimize connect time, store some data
on their own diskettes, and do part of
the processing on their micros; time-
sharing provides electronic mail, part of
the data storage and more powerful
processing when needed.

Geoffrey Sinclair

Woodcraft

Oakland, CA

For the Record

Re: Software Review by Alan R.
Miller (I A Mar 82). Although Plink-ll is
authored by Phoenix Software Assoc.
(N. Easton, MA), it is distributed ex-
clusively by Lifeboat Assoc. (New
York. NY).

TURN PROJECTS INTO PROFITS

pm/-ll

* True Critical Path Scheduling;

• Early & late start and finish

• % complete or actual start/ finish

* Designed for Floppy or Hard Disk*

• 1 000 Activities per project

• Multi-drive access

* Easy to Use:

• User friendly/menu driven

• Extensive input editing and

error detection

Features:

* Comprehensive Management Reporting:

Flexible report writer

Gontt Chort

Activity-on-orc diagram

Funding schedules

Net chonge for "What If" comporisons

Budget vs. actual material, labor

and burden dollars
Conforms to CE. ER 1-Ml and

ASPR 7-604.7 amended

MAXIMUM PROJECT CONTROL
ON A MICRO BUDGET. . .

REQUIRES

• 64K

• CP/M^withCBASIC2^

• Addressable Cursor

• 2 or more 8" Diskettes

• 1 32 Char Printer

SEND FOR FREE LITERATURE

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1 1 772 Sorrento Valley Rd.

San Diego. CA 92121

714-481-6998

CP/M REGISTER TRADEMARK OF DIGITAL RESEARCH • CBASIC2 REGISTER TRADEMARK OF COMPILER SYSTEMS

24 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 62

JUNE 1982

*i got my pFcrniotion, but I can't
bear to leave my Ampex terminal.'

You can't blame her. You can get
awfully attached to an Ampex D81
terminal. Maybe it's the convenience of
the detached, familiar Selectric-style key-
board. Or the beauty of the distinctively
designed profile. But we think it's really
the sum of a lot of ergonomic features that
make this buffered editing terminal so
desirable: conversational or block mode
operation. Non-glare 12" diagonal screen
with amber, green or white phosphors.
Two or four pages of displayable
memory. Twenty programmable function
keys. Complete range of visual attributes.

And complete editing, formatting and
protected field capability.

No wonder the D81 is so hard to leave
behind. But take heart. Remember, as far
as this Ampex terminal is concerned,
when it's your turn to be called upstairs —
you really can take it with you.

For more information on the full line of
Ampex terminals, including the D80 —
similar to the D81 but with a detached,
conventional keyboard— and the D30, our
strictly interactive terminal that's the ideal
choice for basic data communications —
contact your nearest Ampex distributor:

AMPEX ^

Ampex Corporation • One of The Signal Companies !_•]

The Desisner s Choice.

Allied Electronics, alilocationsn Basic Electronics, CA (213)673-4300 D California Digital, CA (213)679-9001 D Eakins Associates, Inc., CA (415)969-4533

Western Microtechnology, Inc., CA (408)725-1660 D Instrument Repair Labs, CO (303)449-2721 D Rainbow Computer Systems, Inc., CT (203)488-1797

Flex-Commlnfl, Inc., GA (404)237-9242 D Tek-Aids Industries, Inc., IL (312)870-7400 D Midtec Associates, Inc., KS (913)441-6565

Data Systems of Baton Rouge, LA (504)923-0888 D Micro Computers of New Orleans, Inc., LA (504)885-5883 D S & S Electronics, Inc., MA (617)458-4100

Computer Solutions, Inc., Ml (313)588-1998 D Washington Electric Co., NY (212)226-2121 DA. C.S., Inc., PA(215)947-5590 D InterfacesLtd. Corp., PA (412)941-1800

Chronotex, Inc.. TX (512)656-2733 D Kent Computer Corp., TX (713)478-0077 D R. Associates, Inc., TX (713)870-1500 D Escom, WA (206)881-1113

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 4

INTERFACE AGE 25

New & Used Micros

800/231-2031 Toll Free
713/446-0635 Texas
20360 Hwy. 59 North
Suite 1302-D
Humble, Texas 77338

The Computer Exchange
offers a comprehensive,
nationwide listing service
that matches buyers and
sellers of used computer
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list your specific criteria
with us.

MICROCOMPUTERS

Atari -NEC -Zenith •
TRS 80^^ -Wordsworth.
North Star

PRINTERS

Epson- NEC -Diablo •
Anadex-TI-C. Itho

MONITORS

Amdek- Zenith -NEC -SMD

TERMINALS

Zenith 19 -Televideo

DISKS

Maxwell -Elephant

MODOM

UDS -Accoustic Couplers

SOFTWARE

TRS 80^^ -Zenith
North Star - Atari

Tx. residents add applicable tax.
All merchandise shipped freight
collect. Prices subject to change
without notice and all items sub-
ject to availability. Cashier's
check, money order or wire trans-
fer. Please allow clearance time
for personal checks.

CALL FOR
BEST PRICES

I II

uruA I c

Electronic mail adapted
for deaf communications

Deafnet is a program designed to
improve communications among deaf
people with the aid of a computer-
controlled message system. The con-
cept is an adaptation of electronic mail.

It began operating last summer with
65 users who had participated in a three-
year study funded by what was then the
Department of Health, Education and
Welfare. Deafnet is now sponsored by
the non-profit Deaf Communications
Institute, Framingham, MA. The program
functions in conjunction with Telemail,

operated by GTE Telenet Communica-
tions, Vienna, VA.

Each user has a terminal, a regular
telephone and a coupler, which connects
the phone to the Telemail network. Using
the terminal's keyboard, messages can
be sent or received.

Cost is minimal: a 30-word message
sent to 10 persons in the greater-
Boston area over Deafnet is transmitted
for 7 cents.

Beyond costs, however, is the hope
that Deafnet will provide employment
opportunities for handicapped individuals.

Atari to offer

summer computer camps

Atari Computer Camps represent the
first effort by a major home computer
manufacturer to fully sponsor summer
camps for 1 to 1 8-year-olds interested
in computers. Atari, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA)
will conduct eight camp sessions this
summer, two in each of four locations.

"Atari Computer Camps will give
young people an opportunity to learn
about computers, at whatever level,
with an outstanding curriculum in an

26 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 17

informal camp environment," Raymond
E. Kassar, chairman of the board and
chief executive officer, said. "Atari is
already heavily involved in computer
education, and Atari Computer Camps
will give us opportunities to make further
contributions in this field. Our camp
sessions will each last four weeks, which
we believe is the time necesary to impart
a meaningful experience," Kassar said.

"We are designing our own curriculum
for the camps," Kassar added, "under
the direction of Robert A. Kahn, who has
been involved with computers and edu-
cation for the past 15 years. We will
recruit and train our own instructors,
many of whom will be professional
educators."

Atari Computer Camp sessions will
begin in late June or early July, and will
be conducted on school and university
campuses in the northeast, southeast,
midwest and west. Day-to-day operation
of the camps will be handled by Specialty
Camps, Inc., an organization with some
25 years of experience in running theme
and traditional camps.

"While the formal instruction sessions
will last for two hours each day, all of
the computers and software will be
available to campers during their free
time. We feel that it is important to
create an informal learning environment
to complement the more structured
programs," Kassar said. The daily
schedule will also include traditional
summer camp activities.

Equipment used will be Atari 400 and
800 computers.

Software locator serves
home and business markets

Finding the right software for a com-
puter system is not easy. The software
industry is made up of thousands of com-
panies and end-user awareness is low.

Sofsearch, a software locator service
provided by CCS Inc. (San Antonio, TX),
seeks to remedy this situation.

Subscribers will have access to infor-
mation about software products available
for systems ranging from small home
computers to large business or scientific
mainframes. Sofsearch began late last
year and by the end of January had built
a data base of 10,000 software programs
and about 5,000 software vendors.

For a $125 service fee, Sofsearch
provides reports on available software
products that meet up to five sets of
user-specified criteria, including the
computer system to be used or the
industry or activity to be served.

JUNE 1982

'Over-the-counter' computer sales
expected to expand

"Over-the-counter" computer has
been suggested as a generic term to
apply to the micro marketplace, which is
expected to generate $9 billion sales by
1985.

In a market research report, Frost and
Sullivan (New York, NY) defined over-
the-counter computers as relatively
inexpensive, sold by stores, mail order
and other retail outlets. Such machines
are unified more by their mode of distribu-
tion rather than end-user characteristics,
according to the report.

Frost and Sullivan claim that the total
microcomputer dollar market between
1982 and 1985 will be $22.5 billion, a
60% yearly growth rate.

The hobby market, though still a
major element of the mail order market,
has given way to business, and will be
surpassed by home consumers, the
report says.

The software market will continue to
grow, the report indicates, with increas-
ing demand for easy-to-use, low-cost
products.

Computer literacy seen as
vital educational topic

Today's educators need to add a "C"
—computer literacy— to the traditional
three Rs, according to a professor of
computer and information science at the
University of Oregon, Eugene. David
Moursund believes that children will
need a functional knowledge of com-
puters to compete in the future job
market.

One estimate holds that by 1985 a
high percentage of all jobs will involve
computer use in some way, and that
those who don't know how to use them
will be at a definite disadvantage. Mour-
sund believes that the educational
system has not kept up with this trend
because not enough teachers are com-
puter-literate and because there are not
enough computer-related instructional
materials.

The ability to use computers could
become as important as the ability to
read and write when looking at future
employment, Moursund said.

"Our educational system is completely
dependent, in essence, on how teachers
and parents view the world. If teachers
won't adjust to using computers, to this
change in the world, it's going to be
very hard for the kids to adjust to it,"
Moursund said.

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Quickscreen

Quickcode

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MICRO

S-Basic
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$ 495

Time Billing

495

MICROPRO®

Wordstar

299

Mailmerge

Spellstar

169

Datastar

249

Calcstar

219

Supersort

199

Customization Notes

349

Wordmaster

119

MICROSOFT®

Basic 80

284

Basic Compiler

325

Fortran 80

345

Cobol 80

569

Macro 80

144

Edit 80

ML) Math /ML) Simp

219

MU Lisp/MU Star

165

M-Sort

129

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239

DATA BASE®

FMS-80

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CONDOR 20-1

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529

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If your application calls for managing data, dBASE II may be the answer.

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Type CREATE, then respond to the dBASE II prompts to name the file and define the fields
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Now for a limited time only, you can purchase the most powerful DBMS system for your
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* SOFTWARE * SUPPLIES * * DISCOUNT PRICES • HARDWARE *

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 70

INTERFACE AGE 27

CDHMEH

Cube Trek

In a recent column (lA Dec 81 ), we considered ways to
make a Rubik's cube interface with a computer system, and
explored methods of backtracking from a scrambled cube to
the original unscrambled state. There are algorithms (pro-
cedural formulas) for getting a scrambled cube into a solved
configuration. Some of these permit solutions in less steps
than were used to scramble it in the first place.

Many books and articles describe ways of solving a scram-
bled cube. Now, one of these methods is available in a
program for the Apple II. Rubik's Cube Unlocked by Jeff Gold
(Double-Gold Software, Saratoga, CA) promises to solve any
cube, and it does. It is a machine language program for the
Apple II with 48K-byte Applesoft, and DOS 3.2 or 3.3. It has
superior high resolution graphics for either color or black-and-
white monitors.

Single Board Computers

80-153 1k RAM 2k EPROM
80-280 Ik RAM 2k EPROM
81-260 2k RAM 4k EPROM
81-030 4k RAM 16k EPROM
8085 3 chip system
8088 5 chip system

Bare Board

$19.95
$19.95
$39.95
$89.95
$24.95
$29.95

Kit

$ 89.95

$119.95

$149.95

* $249.95

Apple II boards Bare Board

79-295 Parallel I/O $19.95

81-132 A-D 16 Channel $29.95

80-085 12k EPROM (2716) $39.95

80-244 EPROM PROGRAMMER $24.95
80-144 Display add -I- data $25.95

80-297 Parallel Printer Interface
Extender Board
81-088 Speech Synthesizer (Votrax SC-01)

Other Products

CRTController
79-287 A-D and D-A
79-282 SS Switch ich.
79-282 S S Switch 4 ch.
80-160 +5 Volt 500 Ma.
80-161 ±12 Volt 120 Ma.

Bare Board

$39.95
$19.95
$ 6.95
$24.95
$ 8.95
$ 8.95

81-120 Parallel Input Speech Synthesizer

Send for complete Catalog and OEM pricing.

•Partially Populated price.

Kit

$59.95
$69.95
$49.95
$39.95
$42.95
$69.95
$12.95

$59.95
$10.95
$39.95
$16.95
$18.95

Assm.

$110.95
$129.95
$199.95
$349.95

Assm.

$ 69.95

$ 89.95

$ 59.95

$ 49.95

$ 79.95

$139.90
Assm.

$ 79.95
$ 13.95
$ 49.95
$ 20.95
$ 22.95
$149.90

John Beli^ 13noini:i:uino, inc.

ALL PRODUCTS ARE AVAILABLE FROM JOHN BELL ENQINEERINQ, INC.

r^ 1014 CENTER ST., SAN CARLOS. CA 94070 [^

ADD SALES TAX IN CALIFORNIA

ADD 5% SHIPPING & HANDLING • 3% FOR ORDERS OVER $100
10% OUTSIDE U.S.A.

SEND FOR CATALOG (41 5) 592-841 1

WILL CALL HOURS: 9am ■ 4pm

28 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. i i

Like many of the solutions found within the recent rash of
paperback books, Rubik's Cube Unlocked uses a fixed method
for solving all cubes. It starts with the top edges, then
proceeds to the bottom edges. The program is a tireless and
infinitely patient teacher. If a cube is solvable— if it hasn't
been taken apart and put back together wrong— this game
will eventually solve it. The graphics screen layout does a
very good job of presenting the information needed to follow
the program's instructions. The screen displays an isometric
view of the cube, a two-dimensional view of each of the six
sides, and a two-dimensional view of the side to be
turned— both before and after the move is made.

Mr. Gold's program allows for several modes of use. The
program has a short demo with some appealing graphics.
Once the cube is solved, one can use the Patterns option to
learn to create several different designs. If you want a
challenge, the program will create a custom cube for you to
solve. You decide how many random moves the computer will
use to make the random cube. Once a random cube has been
formed, the computer can solve it, or you can attempt your
own solution by using the "Play" option, which lets you enter
commands.

This is a well-designed program that can solve any legiti-
mate cube. It will also teach you how to solve a cube by a
fixed routine, and it will help ease the frustrations of looking
at an unsolved cube, but it will not make you a "Cubemeister."
Since the program uses a fixed routine for solving a cube, it
may take many more moves to solve a cube than it took you to
mess it up in the first place. Even though it operates expe-
diently, the program could probably be beaten by an expert
Cubist. This in no way detracts from the value of the program,
but does indicate the superiority of the human mind in selec-
tively grasping complex patterns and identifying optimum
solutions.

One for the Trekkies

From Rainbow Computing (Northridge, CA) comes Super
Stellar Trek by Tom Burlew. Most hobbyists reading this
column are already familiar with Star Trek, or its predecessor
Spacewar in some incarnation or other. Nevertheless, we'll
assume the features of this new release are unfamiliar to you,
and summarize the program's strategic and operational
characteristics.

You are the commander of a space dreadnaught called the
USS Enterprise. You may select to use either the crew from a
previous game (if stored on disk) or to assign names to the
various command titles (science officer, transporter operator,
weapons officer and so forth). You serve the Federation (the
good guys) and are beset by an implacable enemy called
Klingons. Nobody has ever heard of the Organian peace
treaty in this alternate-universe version of the Star Trek
scenario, so you can blast away at these Klingons without any
inhibitions except for their unpleasant habit of blasting first

Now that the scene is set, what does this version of the
game have, or do, differently or better than all the others?

Early versions of Star Trek were all text and no graphics.
Later developments included graphic playing fields (sectors)
and real-time movement modeling the action of space battle
realistically (Spacewar, implemented on CRTs in early 1 960s
minicomputers, by contrast, started as all graphics/animation
and almost no text). By the standards of microcomputer ani-
mation and real-time graphics simulation. Super Stellar Trek is
among the best we've seen.

If the armory of the television Starship Enterprise is taken
as a starting point, the photon torpedos, phasers, and shields
with which the game is equipped are all standard Federation
starship offensive and defensive armaments. We found an
available option of "ramming" the enemy with your starship—
a tactic we can't remember Captain Kirk using, but it worked
well in Ben-Hur, didn't it?

A goodie we don't remember from the television show was
the availability of a long-range transporter at starbases that

JUNE 1982

can "haul in" a battleship in distress upon receipt of a call for
help. Calling for help, however, is considered cowardly, and
detracts from your overall battle score.

Power— the power for the battleship— comes from (what
else?) Dilithium crystals, which may be mined from the crust
of certain planets. Mining crystals and docking at starbases
are the two methods of bolstering sagging energy reserves.
The loss of energy is imminent as each battle is fought, and
the ship moves from sector to sector and quadrant to quad-
rant—giving a realistic impression of how fuel reserves and
energy usage would occur in a real physical system. The real-
time factor, again, seems to be well portrayed here.

Maneuvering— to move anywhere on the board— the captain
can direct the ship to move within a visible tactical display by
use of numbers that indicate the CHANGE in the present
position of the starship. The movement within a sector (the
tactical screen) is indicated in quadrants (there aren't four of
them, in spite of the name). To move from row 5, column 7, to
row 8, column 8, the command to move must be given as
(M .3.1). The quadrants are indicated as decimal fractions (.3,
for instance) when the captain wants to move the ship a short
distance — within the tactical screen). Larger moves, from
sector to sector, are done with whole numbers. To see what's
in other sectors, a separate strategic screen must be called up.

Normally, what's in all sectors isn't observable on the
strategic screen either, only what's in the sectors closest to
the starship's present position, and as the starship moves
from sector to sector, what has already been observed
remains shown as a series of status-indicating numbers.
Occasional supernovae and black holes complicate life in
some quadrants (supernovae complicate it to the point of
extinction). With judicious use of the strategic screen and
immediate return to the tactical screen, you can direct the
Enterprise around the known universe with reasonable
success.

While navigation is performed using relative addressing,
firing phasers and photon torpedoes is done with absolute
addressing. In other words, if there is a Klingon on row 4,
column 6 of your strategic screen a (PHO 4 6) command will
fire a photon torpedo at the enemy in that location, no matter
where you are. However, if you want to move to that location,
and are at row 4, column 4, you will need a (M .0 .2) command.
When you're learning the rules, these different "addressing
modes" make it harder to acquire proficiency. This is maybe
just a minor quibble, because after you adapt to the different
types of commands, you'll use the right form every time—
won't you?

Phasers are operated in similar style to photon torpedos,
except that the amount of energy in each blast must be
specified.

Ramming an enemy vessel is also done by using absolute
quadrant addressing, but ramming and self-destruct are last
resort tactics.

Perhaps the "row, column" method of identifying a position
on the screen could be replaced by the more standard "X, Y"
method of representing 2-dimensional Cartesian co-ordinates.
We don't know if "row, column" is the way other Trek games
currently operate, but for almost any other application where
two-dimensional co-ordinates are used, "X, Y" (horizontal,
vertical) is the standard way to go.

Look at the difference between firing a photon torpedo at a
position and moving to that position previously discussed.
Isn't it possible to make these methods of identifying a place
on the screen a bit more consistent?

Queries that are answered by typing in a letter (no need to
hit RETURN) and by entering a letter or string (RETURN
necessary) seem to alternate without any particular pattern.
Again, we'd like to see a bit more consistency.

No doubt Rainbow Computing is now working on Son of
Super Stellar Trek. Maybe the company will incorporate these
suggestions into the next Trek generation. Meanwhile, Super
Stellar Trek gets a ' 'yes' ' vote. D

JUNE 1982

~j^Y

VIEW Of
COLOR

The CBX Series:

affordable, intelligent

color imaging systems

The CBX subsystem interfaces with your PDP-11 ,* LSl-11 * or
other computer to provide high resolution imaging capabili-
ties. With the optional frame grabber and television camera,
you digitize full-color images from any source, using a
computer-controlled color filter system. Then analyze,
reprocess, mix, save, retrieve ... the power of the CAT is
at your command.

Each CBX system includes:

• Your choice of CAT-100, 400 or 800

• 12 slot S-100 mainframe

• Z-80A processor with specialized firmware in PROM

• Parallel interface connector

A range of options and accessories are available, including:

• TV cameras • Lightpens • TV monitors • Interface card
and connecting cables.

•PDP-11 and LSl-11 are trademarks of Digital Equipment Corporation.

Digitized X-ray

Digitized Real Color

Computer graphics Landsat photo

il DIGITAL GRAPHIC SYSTEMS. INC.

935 Industrial Avenue, Palo Alto, CA 94303 (415) 856-2500

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 2S INTERFACE AGE 29

ZX8I

GB 6D QH oi

PLOT UNPLQT REM RUN RAND RETURN IF INPUT POKE PRINT

BS BB IS! CB CB f!M CH IB IS OH

SIN COS TAN INT RND STRS CHRS CODE PEEK TAB

NEW SAVE DIM FOR GOTO GOSUB LOAD LIST LET

HH isii I3ISI B§ QB ni

ARCSIN ARCCOS ARCTAN SGN ABS SOR VAL LEN USR
^^..^^^ COPY CLEAR CONT CLS SCROLL NEXT PAUSE d«,= ^^

EXP AT

IN KEYS NOT H

Introducing the
Sinclair ZX81.

If you 're ever
going to buy a personal
computer, now is the time
to do it.

The Sinclair ZX81
is the most powerful, yet
easy-to-use computer
ever offered for any-
where near the price:
only $149.95* completely assembled.

Don't let the price fool you. The ZX81 has
just about everything you could ask for in a per-
sonal computer
A breakthrough in personal computers.

The ZX81 is a major advance over the origi-
nal Sinclair ZXBO-the first personal computer to
break the price barrier at $200.

In fact the ZX81 's 8K extended BASIC offers
features found only on computers costing two or
three times as much.

Just look at what you get:
■ Continuous display, including moving graphics

THE$149l95

■ Multi-dimensional
string and numerical arrays

Mathematical and scien-
tific functions accurate to
8 decimal places

■ Unique one-touch entry

of key words like PRINT,

RUN and LIST

■ Automatic syntax error
I detection and easy editing

■ Randomize function
useful for both games and serious applications

■ Built-in interface for ZX printer

■ 1 K of memory expandable to 1 6K

■ 164-page programming guide and operating
manual

The ZX81 is also very convenient to use. It
hooks up to any television set to produce a clear
32-column by 24-line display. It comes with a
comprehensive 164-page programming guide
and operating manual designed for both begin-
ners and experienced computer users. And you
can use a regular cassette recorder to store
and recall programs by name.

30 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

Order at no risk.**

Well give you 10 days to try out the ZX81 . If
you're not completely satisfied Just return it to
Sinclair Research and we'll give you a full refund.

And if you have a problem with your ZX81,
send it to Sinclair Research within 90 days and
we'll repair or replace it at no charge.
Introducing the ZX81 kit.

If you really want to save
money, and you enjoy building elec-
tronic kits, you can order the ZX81
in kit form for the incredible price
of just $99.95.* It's the same, full-
featured computer, only you put it
together yourself. We'll send com-
plete, easy-to-follow instructions
on howyou can assemble your
ZX81 in just a few hours. All you
have to supply is the soldering iron.
A leader in microelectronics.

The ZX81 represents the latest
technology in microelectronics.
More than 1 0,000 are sold every
week. In fact, the ZX81 is the fastest
selling personal computer in the
world.

We urge you to place your
order for the ZX81 today
To order.

To order, simply call toll free.
Or use the coupon below. Remem-
ber, you can try it for 10 days at no
risk.** The sooner you order, the
sooner you can start enjoying your
own computer.
Call toll free 800-543-3000.

Ask for operator #509. In
Ohio call: 800-582-1364; in Can-
ada call: 513-729-4300. Ask for
operator #509. Phones open

24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have your
MasterCard or VISA ready

These numbers are for orders only. If you just
want information, please write: Sinclair Research
Ltd., 2 Sinclair Plaza, Nashua, NH 03061 .

'Plus shipping and handling. Price includes connectors f orTV and cassette, AC adaptor, and

FREE manual.

**Does not apply to ZX81 kits.

NEW SOFTWARE: Sinclair

has published pre-recorded
programs on cassettes for
your ZX81. We're constantly
conning out with new pro-
grams, so we'll send you our
latest software catalog with
your computer.

ZX PRINTER: The Sinclair ZX
Printer will work with your
ZX81 . It will be available in the
near future and will cost less
than $100.

16K MEMORY MODULE:

Like any powerful, full
fledged computer, the ZX81
is expandable. Sinclair's 16K
memory module plugs right
onto the back of your ZX81 .
Cost is $99.95, plus shipping
and handling.

311"

To order call toll free: 800-543-3000

Ad Code 061A

Price*

Qty. /

^nnount

ZX81

$149.95

ZX81 Kit

99.95

16K Mennory Module

99.95

Shipping and Handling

4.95

$4.95

TOTAL

MAIL TO: Sinclair Research Ltd.,
One Sinclair Plaza, Nashua, NH 03061.

Nanne_
Address-

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 31

YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY

AN ARM AND A LEG FOR

DEMONSTRATION SOFTWARE!

Get everything
you need p,
for $29500 f

Whether you are selling
your customer hardware
or software, the three
best ways to close the
sale are:
1) demonstration;
, 2) demonstration; and
3) demonstration. That's why
we offer you the best spftwa
demonstration system in the
microcomputer industry.

The package indudes oil
the software listed here,
plus important
promotional materials
and our exclusive
video sales

presentation designed
to help you make the
sale. You get the
whole package for
just $295.00.

We offer you the
largest selection of
quality business
applications and the
best support available
anywhere. Everyone
claims to be the best
. . . but we're willing to
demonstrate it. All you
have to do is give us a
call, or drop us a card.

FINANCIAL

General Ledger • Accounts

Payable • Accounts

Receivable • Payroll • Cash

Receipts/ Disbursements

• Job Costing •Mailing

Ust Management

MEDICAL/DENTAL

Office Scheduler

• Patient Billing

• Accounts Receivable

• Insurance Forms

GOVERNMENTAL/

EDUCATIONAL

Student Record Keeping

• Student Scheduling

• Fund Accounting

WHOLESALE

DISTRIBUTION

Purchasing and Receiving

• Inventory Control
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32 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 47

JUNE 1982

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(^THE
V35 MICRO-
MATHEMATICIAN

by Dr. John C. Nash

Gaussian Elimination

This month we will consider one of the most widely used
tools in numerical mathematics. Gaussian elimination (and its
variants) are applicable to almost all problems in numerical linear
algebra— calculations involving matrices.

A common matrix calculation is the solution of simultaneous
linear equations. A high school example might be the pair of
two equations in two unknowns (v and w)

2 V + 3 w = 11
4 V - w = 1

(A)
(B)

The usual high school solution methods are substitution or
elimination. Substitution takes one equation, let it be (A), and
solves for one of the unknowns, say v, in terms of the rest,
in this case w. That is,

V = (11 - 3 w) / 2

This result is then substituted into the rest of the equations,
leaving some new equations with one fewer unknown. That is,

4 V - w = 4 *
22 - 7 w = 1

(11-3 w)/2 - w = 22

6 w

w =

The solution for one unknown and substitution steps are
continued until the substitution gives an unknown equal to a
number, that is.

7 w = 22

21 or w = 3

By using earlier equations for one unknown in terms of
the others in an appropriate order, we can then obtain the
full solution,

V = (11 - 3 w)/2

(11

9)/2

The elimination method results in the same answers, but
arrives at them by a slightly different approach. The essence
of an equation is that both sides are equal. Therefore,
performing equal operations on both sides of an equation
preserves the equality. Thus adding the same amount to both
sides of an equation will leave the equation valid. In particular,
we can add two equations together, or add a multiple of one
to another. Let us multiply equation (A) above by - 2 and add
it to equation (B). This is the same as subtracting 2 times (A)
from (B).

-2 times (A)

-4 V -

6 w =

-22

(B)

4 V -

w =

- 2 (A) + (B)

V -

7 w =

-21

Divide by ( - 7)

w =

Substitute in (B)

4 V -

3 =

Add 4 both sides

4 V

Divide by 4

JUNE 1982

So much for the review of high school methods. How do
we translate these ideas to working computer programs? First,
let us write the equations in matrix form, that is.

A X = b

where A is an n by n matrix, which for our n = 2 example, is

2 3
_4 -1_

X is the vector of unknowns and b the vector of right hand
side elements, i.e.

b =

11
1

We will look at the use of elimination methods rather than
substitution because the latter requires that we somehow
handle the unknowns— a symbolic operation— while the
elimination allows us to exploit matrix structure and indexing.
In the above example, the unknowns always occupy the same
position in the tableau. Rather than develop a complete tableau
in memory, we will allow parts of arrays to be overwritten with
new information to save storage.

Elimination operation

The basic elimination operation, that of adding s times one
equation to another, will store its result on top of the second
equation. Suppose we wish to add s times equation i to
equation k. The result of this operation has (Aj^j + s * Ajj)

multiplying the unknown Xj, for j = 1 ,2 n. The right side

element becomes (b,, + s * bj). Letting this equation replace
equation k of the original set is equivalent to replacing row k
of the starting matrix A with the appropriate elements above.
Similarly, b^^ is altered. Note that if we store b in an extra column
of A, that is, make A an n by (n + 1 ) matrix, the same numerical
results are obtained as if we had kept the right side separate.
This is a saving in programming as well as in execution time
for linear equation solutions and is part of the Basic code
presented later.

The elimination operation is used to set particular coefficients
in the new equations to zero by appropriate choice of the
multiplier s. The coefficient or matrix element set to zero is
therefore eliminated. Suppose that we wish to eliminate the
coefficient of unknown x^^ in equation k. The choosing

will obviously force this to happen in the elimination operation
of adding s times equation i to equation k. The element Aj^
is frequently referred to as the pivot in this operation. If the
pivot is zero, attempts to compute the multiplier s will result
in an error, and a good deal of effort in programs to solve linear
equations by elimination methods focuses on arranging that
such a zero-divide does not occur.

In order to solve a complete set of equations using the basic
operation just presented, the following set of eliminations must
be performed. Given the coefficient matrix A, all elements of
column 1 except the first are set to zero by elimination. This
uses element A^^ aspivot. Then, using element A22 as pivot, all
elements in column 2 except for the first two are set to zero.
Then all elements of column 3 except for the first three are
eliminated, and so on until the matrix has only zeros in the lower
triangle. That is, the equations have the structure

N N N N

N N N

N N

_N_

where N represents a non-zero number, O a zero.

INTERFACE AGE 33

The last equation in the set can now be solved immediately
by a division,

^n = bp / Ann

(Ajj will be the i J element of the current matrix.) The second to
last equation is solved by substituting this value into it and
solving for Xn_i. Then Xn_2 can be found and so on until a
complete solution is obtained. This process is called back-
substitution. However, elimination can be used to perform an
equivalent calculation. The variant of the solution method that
results is often called the Gauss-Jordon method, though there
is some debate over the involvement of either mathematician
in its development.

In order to use the elimination operation to solve the triangular
set of equations, we can use Ann ^s pivot and eliminate all
elements above it in the last column. The zeros created in the
triangularization will not be affected since s times zero is still
zero. Then the (n - 1 , n - 1 ) element is used as pivot and all
other elements in column (n - 1 ) set to zero. This is continued
until the matrix A has only zero elements except for the
diagonal, that is.

Each equation can then be solved independently by a simple
division. This can also be performed by elimination if we note
that s times equation k added to equation k is just (s + 1 ) times
the equation. Therefore, if

(s + 1) = 1 /Akk

where A^k is the current k'th diagonal element, then the solution
element for this equation is

.^^

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Xk = (s + 1)*bK = bk/Akk

where b^ is the current k'th element of the right side.

The basic elimination operation corresponds to a matrix multi-
plication by transformation matrix T, which is n by n. This matrix
is totally defined by the quantity s and the row numbers i and
k, assuming that the matrix A has n rows. T must be a unit
matrix except for element (k, i), which is equal to s. Therefore

Tjj = 1,j=1,2,...,n.
Tki = s, (row k, column i)
All other elements are zero.

The matrix product

A' = T * A

will differ from A only in the k'th column. The matrices of type
T are one class of elementary matrices. They are useful in
developing algorithms because theorems can be proven about
them. In particular, it is easy to show that the inverse of T,
called T"\ has elements

T,r^= 1,

1.2,

34 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 16

Tk7^= -s

All other elements are zero.

(Note that this only works if i and k are not equal.) It is hardly
surprising that the way to reverse the operation of adding s
time row i to row k is to simply subtract it again.

Let us now apply elimination to solve some systems of linear
equations. The Basic program code given in listing 1 contains
four subroutines that perform the elimination operation on
columns as well as rows. They also allow two rows or two
columns to be exchanged. Listing 2 gives a program that calls
the subroutines to solve linear equations. An example is given
in listing 3. To see how the process works, interested readers
should answer T to the question: "DISPLAY MATRIX (Y or N)?".

Listing 4 presents an example for which tfie process fails
unless we take into account the possibility that the pivot
element may be zero. In this case, we may be able to find
another element that is not zero and use it instead. To do
this, we must either renumber the equations, which corresponds
to interchanging the rows of the matrix A, or renumber the
unknowns, which alters the columns. There is a large amount
of experience that suggests that it is sufficient in almost all
cases to consider only row exchanges. Listing 5 presents
program code to carry this out if the REM is removed from
the statement at line 220 of the original program in listing 2.
This process, called Partial Pivoting, chooses the largest
element of a column as the pivot. Readers may wish to
experiment with choosing different pivots— that is the main
focus of the programs presented. To improve the efficiency
of the calculations, one would not actually perform the row
or column exchange, but simply alter some indices. In my
experience, this is surprisingly hard to do well. It is difficult
to improve the speed of the program by a large relative factor
without a lot of work.

Not even pivoting can get around all the difficulties. Suppose
that we are given several identical equations. Then at least
one pivot will be zero. In this case, there is no unique solution
because the matrix A is singular. Readers are warned that a
small pivot means that the matrix A is singular. However, the
absence of a small pivot does not necessarily mean the matrix
is not singular, a point many application programmers of
statistical arid scientific software seem not to appreciate.

The whole question of "small" pivots is quite interesting,
and deciding a suitable tolerance for use in a general-purpose
linear equation solver can involve quite sophisticated mathe-
matics. Clearly, the value zero chosen in the programs given
here is inappropriate except in a didactic context. (See line
380 of listing 2.)n

Program on page 132

JUNE 1982

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 69

INTERFACE AGE 35

Learning
with Micros

by Louis E Frenzel, Jr.

Personal Computer Networks for Education

The two information networks widely available to personal
computer owners, The Source (McLean, VA) and CompuServe
(Columbus, OH), provide a variety of data services for sub-
scribers who access them through a terminal or personal
computer. Many users are beginning to recognize the potential
of these utilities in education. Already the two major informa-
tional services are offering a variety of educational programs
and more are planned.

Both services operate in essentially the same way. The user
pays an initial subscription fee, then a modest hourly rate for
the time that he is connected to the computer. The user is
billed each month for the time used. Both services provide a
wide variety of data bases and computational facilities.
Virtually any type of terminal or personal computer can be
used to access the services.

CompuServe employs several large scale Digital Equipment
Corporation model 10 and model 20 timesharing computers.
Any subscriber can access this massive computing capability
through a local telephone call from more than 260 cities.

Up-to-the-minute international, national and local news,
weather and sports are available on the screen, courtesy of
AP. Financial information is also available. Timely quotes on
more than 40,000 stocks, bonds and options can be seen at
the touch of a button. There is also entertainment. Besides a
wide variety of computer games, you can also access movie,
restaurant and book reviews. Computer hobbyists can take
advantage of the wide range of programming languages and
aids available. There is also electronic mail. With this feature,
you can send and receive messages to and from other sub-
scribers. CompuServe currently has over 21 ,000 subscribers
and is growing rapidly.

The other informational network— The Source— is owned
by Reader's Digest. This service employs seven large Prime
750 mainframe computers. Like CompuServe, The Source
charges an initial subscription fee, then an hourly rate for
connect time. You can tap The Source with a local telephone
call in over 350 metropolitan areas.

Similar features for botii

Most capabilities are similar to CompuServe. The Source
has a Chat mode that lets you talk interactively with any other
user on the line at the same time. This is very much like a
computer CB radio, as many users actually have ''handles."
Another information feature is airline schedules. If you'd like
to know about flight schedules, you simply type the city name
and The Source will give you flights scheduled for that route.
You can even do some of your shopping on-line. Over 20,000
items are cataloged and described. You can order them right
from the computer and charge them directly to your credit
card. The Source currently has over 1 4,000 subscribers and

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36 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 26

JUNE 1982

estimates that nearly 30,000 people will subscribe by the end
of 1982.

All you need to access either CompuServe or The Source is
a microcomputer or a terminal. It should have a serial communi-
cations I/O port (i.e. EIA RS-232). This serial port is then
connected to a communications modem. The modem in turn
connects to your telephone line. This can be done indirectly
through an acoustic coupler that attaches to the regular
telephone handset. Alternately, the modem can connect
directly to the telephone lines. Telephone connections are
incredibly fast and simple to make. Both networks provide
detailed technical information for setting up your computer to
talk to their systems.

The two major information

services offer a variety of

educational programs.

The personal computer information networks promise to
further expand the educational potential of the microcomputer.

CompuServe recently signed an agreement with World
Book Encyclopedia to provide an on-line version of the World
Book to subscribers. Once the service is fully implemented, it
will provide a wide range of educational data for subscribers.
Another CompuServe educational feature is its program that
helps high school graduates prepare for the Scholastic
Aptitude Test (SAT).

The Source seems to be more advanced in its use of the
network for educational activities. It offers a variety of learning
programs in foreign languages, language arts and mathematics.
Additionally, in cooperation with the Colorado Technical
College in Colorado Springs, The Source now offers an array
of college courses via the network. In fact, subscribers can
complete all of the work necessary for a degree at the Colo-
rado Technical College via the network. The college offers
Associate degree programs in a variety of technical subjects.
These programs are accredited by the North Central Associa-
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Board for Engineering and Technology. Within a year. The
Source expects to have on-line over 20 courses leading to a
degree. By using lectures and exams presented on the
network, as well as supplementary textbooks, the students
complete each course at home via the network. Each course
typically runs three hours per week over an 11 -week period.
Tuition is approximately $210 per course. Interestingly, all
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The potential for education over information networks is
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Business Computers

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JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 44 INTERFACE AGE 37

-ICATIONS

by Tony Dirksen

So You Want to be a Programming Star...

Like so many of my 1 3-year-old peers, I was convinced that
someday I'd be a rock-and-roll star. The shortest road to
success seemed to be down the frets of a guitar, so I invested
months of allowance into a Silvertone electric. There was one
immediate detour to my career: I had to learn how to play the
thing. The only educational tool available for the sum of my
remaining nickels was a book more full of promises than
lessons. It wasn't until years later— when I could afford a
private tutor— that I actually learned much about playing the
instrument. Unfortunately, fame had already passed me by.

Many of today's teenagers may have been replaced by
archaic rock idols with contemporary technical heroes like
Steve Wozniak, Bill Budge, and other programming wizards.
As they— and the rest of us— set out to learn more about the
ins and outs of programming computers, some of the same
frustrations that confront novices in every field of learning will
emerge. In order to progress, we must effectively assimilate
the information available to us.

Okay, so you decide it's time to begin your education. You
bring your first computer home, carefully connect all the
components, and start running a "crucial" program called
Stellar Monkeys. During the next few weeks, you spend 1 5
hours a day detonating high-resolution primates Into oblivion.
Guilt-ridden, you take a fleeting look at Visicalc in order to
justify those hours squandered amidst the CRT's glowing apes.
In time, remembering that the Apple system was acquired to
"learn more about computers," you decided to seek some
guidance. Returning to the computer merchant, you're
confronted by an intimidating wall of books, each claiming to
be "an introductory text written without confusing technical
jargon." The dealer (who's desiging circuit boards for NASA
in his spare time) is insensitive to your confusion. He simply
waves his hand at the phalanx of books and says "they're
all good."

Advice for the novice

Don't be dismayed. In this month's column, I'll describe
some of the ways novices can extend their programming com-
petence on an Apple system. Allow me a couple of disclaimers.
First, note that there are many valuable programming guides
available today. I've selected a few whose quality has been
reinforced through my own experience. You may want to
sample others as well. (Consider acquiring Bob Broedel's
bibliography of Apple-oriented texts for $2. Write him at Box
20049, Tallahassee, FL 32304.) Second, recognize that we
all learn and discipline ourselves in different ways. I like to
follow a tutorial that encourages immediate use of the computer
—instead of laboring through a text that preaches principles
before sharing applications. Others may be different.

Apple includes manuals with each system designed to relay
the fundamentals of Basic, but there's more to the language
than any single manufacturer's manual can include. One way

38 INTERFACE AGE

to broaden this base is to purchase a book of basic programs,
then input and study the listings. However, many people don't
have the temperament for this approach. You may want to
consider reading the following books.

Basic Programming by John G. Kemeny & Thomas E. Kurtz
(John Wiley, New York, NY) provides a good starting point. It
isn't often that scholastic visionaries are able to focus their
ideas for absorption by the masses. Kemeny & Kurtz devel-
oped the Basic language as a user-friendly tool for their
students at Dartmouth College. In this text, they successfully
avoid the temptation to be rigidly academic by providing
programs ranging from a baseball simulation to business
analysis to specialized sorting routines.

Every computer sports a slightly Individualized version of
Basic. This book uses the American National Standard for the
language, and most programs will run on the Apple computer
without modification. (If you confront an occasional snag,
refer to the Applesoft Basic Reference Manual that came with
your system.) However, because it's based on generalized
standards, Basic Programming doesn't take full advantage of
many of the Apple's special features— particularly graphics
capabilities.

Computer Graphics Primer by Mitchell Walte (Howard W.
Sams, Indianapolis, IN) provides more insight In this area. It's
hard to imagine that a field less than a decade old already has a
classic. But Waite's book is just that. It contains invaluable

If you're not nurturing

a teach-yourself type

mentality f you can still

investigate programming

without pain

program listings that grow more detailed as you get deeper into
the book, and even introduces a few Intriguing fundamentals of
computer animation.

Walte opens the book with a review of computer graphics
potential, covering the range from micros to mainframes. He
then demonstrates step-by-step the creation of high-resolution
graphics on an Apple computer. The Applesoft tutorial manual
that accompanies your svstem provides an introduction to
hi-res graphics, but only dips into the subject for about seven
pages. Waite's more elaborate book is a necessary tool for
those serious about using graphics.

Apple's own Pascal manuals are designed more as atlases
of Apple Pascal's special features than instructional guides to
the language. A neophyte approaching them— or many of the
other off-the-shelf Pascal books— is likely to quickly feel lost.
Many Pascal guides laboriously describe the structural brilliance
of the language, a rhetorical diversion that's likely to send
many a novice scampering back to the shelter of Basic.

Apple Pascal: A Hands-on Approach by Arthur Luehrmann
and Herbert Peckham (McGraw-Hill, New York, NY) offers
additional virtues. There's probably no better book for
learning Pascal on an Apple computer. This guide uses a
lesson-oriented approach to teaching the language and the
operating system, with 1 4 lessons that consume between two to
three hours apiece. It's specifically designed for users of Apple
Pascal with only one disk drive. The importance of the authors'
strategic one-drive approach can't be overstated. True, Pascal
works more smoothly if you have a second drive. Alas, many

JUNE 1982

users have only one, and this book has been designed to work
within the limitations of a more simplistic system.

Be warned. This is the kind of book that leads you across a
deceptively smooth path— only to push you into a bed of
thorns. You may naively follow their directions, thinking
you're near the completion of a program, only to have them
intentionally thrust you into a mistake that invalidates the
work you've just done. Their theory, I suppose, is based on
that time-honored adage of learning from one's mistakes. But
take heart— they always explain in precise detail how to get
back to where you've come from.

Admittedly, the book doesn't cover every feature of the
language, but does get you using the Apple's sound and
graphics features more quickly than any other guide. There
are probably books that do a better job of explaining the
theory behind Pascal, or of providing programs for specific
applications. But if you're a Pascal novice, this is probably the
book for you.

Practical applications

My second favorite "hands-on" Pascal book is Pascal
Primer by David Fox and Mitchell Waite (Howard W. Sams).
This text is especially useful if you have some familiarity with
Basic, because the authors use the terminology of Basic to
describe many of Pascal's features. A Basic subroutine and a
Pascal procedure are not the same thing, but by seeing the
comparisons between the two, the Pascal novice may develop
an understanding of the language more quickly. However, it
Isn't necessary to know Basic to use this book.

If you need something with a recreational tint to keep your
interest, check out Apple Pascal Games by Douglas Hergert
and Joseph T. Kalash (Sybex, Berkeley, CA). For many
people, a primary frustration inherent in learning Pascal is
finding good code to study independently. During the past
year, Sybex has published several books of Pascal programs,
including one for scientists and engineers. I focus on this
game book because it's specifically designed to show the
novice the logic supporting each of the different programs.

Most of the games are pretty standard: Blackjack, Life,
Wumpus, and the like. What's different is that the authors
provide a game-by-game plan to illuminate some of the more
interesting features of Pascal. My only disappointment with
this book is that it doesn't introduce Turtlegraphics programs
(the neat graphics things that Apple Pascal can do) until the
latter portion of the book— and then only fleetingly. Personally,
I would have preferred fewer games with slicker graphics.
Perhaps that's being considered for a follow-up volume.

In any case, this, like the other two books mentioned, makes
Apple Pascal more accessible to beginning programmers.

If you're not nurturing a teach-yourself type mentality, you
can still investigate programming without pain.

An obvious move is to join an Apple users' group in your
area. As more non-technical users have acquired Apple
systems, many of the users' groups have made a greater
effort to comply with their special needs. The San Francisco
Apple Core, for instance, offers beginning and intermediate
classes in both Basic and Pascal. For the location of a user
group near you, write to the International Apple Core, Box
976. Daly City, CA 94017.

Many user groups have computerized tutorials of different
languages, so you can let the computer do the teaching.
Apple itself offers a program called Hand Holding Basic that is
a complete computer-assisted course in programming. Another
Apple program, Apple How To!, gives an introduction to some of
the principles of Basic and assembly language programming.

There's always the option of personalized instruction,
either through a junior college, adult education program,
computer dealer or private teacher. The major advantage of
following this final route, of course, is that training can be
customized to fit individualized needs and interests. The
major disadvantage is high cost. But if you're going to be a
star . . . what price fame?n

JUNE 1982

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 81 INTERFACE AGE 39

by Mike Heck

CP/M on your Pet

What would be your reaction if you were offered a way to
multiply the applications available for your Commodore
system ten-fold, have access to many high-level languages
such as business Basic, Fortran, and Cobol, plus have ex-
panded user memory and a number of advanced hardware
interfaces... all at the same time? You would probably assume
that this pushes things too far— especially on a microcomputer.

However, these capabilities can be a reality by using a
simple hardware add-on for the Pet or CBM, which allows use
of CP/M.

Let's examine CP/M and how its power can be applied to
Commodore equipment. One of the problems with micro-
computers—in fact any computer— is that each is governed
by a unique set of commands. Yet at the lowest level, every
computer must perform the same tasks: get data from the
keyboard, print information and handle disk activity. These
tasks are usually handled by a "manager" referred to as an
operating system.

On the standard Pet, a combination of Basic and DOS (Disk
Operating System) initiate these activities. If you're just using
Pet programs, everything's functional, but what happens if
you want to apply a program designed for another system?
For the most part- tough luck. Without extensive modifica-
tions, an alien program will rarely run on a different system
than it was designed for.

Fortunately, in the early days of microcomputers, this
problem of incompatibility was addressed, and CP/M was
born. CP/M is popular because all the hardware dependent
parts of CP/M are put in one part of the program. A developer
can change just those portions of CP/M involving specific
hardware— without touching the main application. Since no
modifications are required to the main program, it can be
used by any system capable of running CP/M.

In the seven years that CP/M has been around, thousands of
programs have been created to run under it, written by more
than 100 companies. Applications range from languages
including business Basic, Fortran, Cobol and Pascal, and
development utilities like assemblers, to accounts payable/
receivable, data bases, planning and word processing
applications.

Two CP/M hardware requirements are not met by standard
Commodore equipment. CP/M was originally designed around
an 8080 microprocessor. Since the Pet contains a 6502—
whose instruction set is not compatible— a different micro-
processor must be added. The system must also have at least
48K of user memory.

The way to comply with these needs is through a hardware
add-on that provides a Z80 microprocessor and additional
user memory (RAM). Two hardware devices that give Pet/CBM
systems CP/M capability are the Z-RAM card from Madison

Computer (distributed by Computer Marketing Services,
Cherry Hill, NJ) and the Softbox from Small Systems Engi-
neering, Ltd. (London, England).

Physically, Z-Ram is a separate card containing two Z80
microprocessors, a 6502 processor and 64K of additional
RAM. The card is designed to fit inside the top of the Pet
enclosure, directly under the monitor. Four mounting screws
make installation a snap.

Z-RAM is designed to work with either a 40-column Pet or
80-column 8032 system. The advantage of using the 8032 is
that most CP/M programs were originally designed to support
80-column terminals.

The only electrical connections involve unplugging the
power cable to the main Pet motherboard, and connecting
this cable to the Z-RAM. Another cable brings power from the
card back to the Pet. The final connection involves removing
the 6502 microprocessor from the Pet's main logic board and
attaching a 40-conductor cable from the Z-RAM card to the
6502 socket.

Even without firing up CP/M, the Z-RAM permits use of the
additional 64K RAM from the normal Pet. Under CP/M you
have the full 64K RAM work space also.

In using this extra RAM from the Pet, you can split memory
to accommodate three programs simultaneously. The first
bank contains 26K RAM, the second and third 32K RAM. This
is advantageous for large programs since the wait induced by
going to the disk to bring in the next part of the program is
eliminated.

Z-RAM supports printers either through the standard
Commodore IEEE-488 interface or through Madison
Computer's McTERM standard RS-232 serial port.

To use CP/M with Z-RAM, just boot the supplied CP/M
disk. After a brief wait— CP/M is a short program— the
opening message will be displayed along with the CP/M ready

40 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

prompt. Another side note: CP/M is not the most efficient
with disk space. Using Commodore's 8050 disk with a total of
500K bytes on a diskette will yield a more effective operating
environment.

The Sottbox takes a slightly different approach to the
hardware, but still provides a good CP/M implementation.
Electronics are enclosed in an out-board box that can be
placed anywhere near the Pet. The Softbox is attached via a
standard Pet interface cable daisy-chained off any CBM
peripheral. A power cord goes to an AC outjet, and that's it.
The Softbox has three indicators on the front panel for power
and the disk drive in operation.

Internally, the Softbox contains 64K bytes of RAM and a
Z-80 microprocessor. Interfaces for the optional RS-232 and
Corvus hard disk drive can also be purchased. CP/M for the
Softbox is supplied on many Commodore formatted disks, but
the larger the disk capacity, the better.

Booting from the CP/M system disk with the Softbox
powered up will automatically execute CP/M.

A number ot new conventions are contained within CP/M.
These are standard for all CP/M based systems— not just the
Commodore implementations mentioned here. Rather than
naming the disk drive units and 1 , which are standard with
Commodore, CP/M names disks A: and B: for the first two units.

The CP/M system prompt will be A> or whatever drive you
select. From this point, you can get a directory of the pro-
grams on the disk, inquire about specific information regarding
a file or the disk, perform housekeeping duties such as file
transfer and disk formatting, and, of course, run specific
programs.

A CP/M directory will look quite different from a standard
CBM disk catalog:

A>DIR

A: FORMAT COM
A: PIP COM

A: ASM COM

A: PR MENU BAS

COPY COM

STAT COM

DOWNLOAD COM
PR PGR BAS

MBASIC COM
ED COM

WS COM

The standard CP/M disk supplied with both Z-RAM and the
Softbox contains the support programs to perform the
functions mentioned above. In addition, the standard Microsoft
Basic language is included.

Looking at the directory, you can determine the type of
each file by the suffix, i.e. COM, BAS, etc. A COM file is a
command file, which requires you to just type the file name
after the prompt and it will be executed immediately. More
specifically, TYPE lists a file to the screen. STAT gives
available disk space, and PIP is a file transfer utility for
transferring programs from one disk to another. These are all
standard CP/M utilities included with any CP/M system.

To switch drives, type B: after the prompt and the prompt
will change to B>, indicating that B: is now the logged drive. If

JUNE 1982

you now do a directory, or DIR, the contents of the disk in
drive B: will be displayed.

CP/M also has a great printer option at the system level. If
you type Control-P, the printer is automatically selected, so
everything on the screen is also printed. A second Control-P
turns off the printer. This sure beats having to open a printer
channel and enter the other commands necessary to use a
printer under Pet Basic.

A BAS file is a Basic program that requires the loading of
the Microsoft Basic language first. Once that's accomplished—
by typing MBasic— you can type RUN FILENAME and the
program will be loaded and executed.

Once the hardware's out of the way, CP/M operates the
same on any system. The real power of CP/M, again, is in the
number of applications available, and the transportability of
those programs.

Since each computer operating under CP/M seems to have
a different disk format, the remaining hurdle is making CP/M
programs run on Pet systems. Unless you have an IBM-
compatible 8-in. disk drive on your Pet (most CP/M programs
were first distributed on that format), purchase programs
already on the properly formatted CBM disk.

If you can't find the program on CBM disks, another option
is to use one of the many available CP/M communication
programs to transfer the CP/M applications from one
computer system to another. This process involves communi-
cating, either over phone lines or directly, between a CP/M
host system and the Pet.

Once files are transferred from the host system to the Pet,
they are saved on CBM disks. Though this may seem like
extra effort — in some cases it is — the work usually pays
dividends through access to an expansive base of CP/M
programs. In the same way, learning about CP/M will also pay
off due to its simple, direct operation, expanded capabilities
such as hard disks and networking, and the high-quality
software available. D

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 85 INTERFACE AGE 41

POWER IN

YOUR POCKET

by Bob McElwain

Build a Co8t-of-Living Index

Only economists can truly understand the various indexes
that affect our lives, and economists don't always agree.
Regardless of what they tell us, the cost of living seems to be
rising faster than the indexes. (And always faster than
income.) One way to come to grips with this problem is to
build a cost-of-living index.

True indexing requires weighty judgement with regard to
what items to include, how many of each and where to get
nationally representative prices. Then one must decide the
relative strength of each item— a task for the true experts.
With the accompanying program, we'll consider the funda-
mental elements in building a personal cost-of-living index.
The objective is to establish current costs on as few items as
possible so that changes in the costs of these items closely
correspond to the actual total change. These original costs.

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42 INTERFACE AGE CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 32

which can be called base costs, will be compared to the
future costs.

Some may choose to include total costs. (Exceptions might
be the cost of an unusually expensive or other one-time
purchases that need not have been made.) This scheme
works well, although it tends to measure changes in spending
patterns, rather than the real cost of living. One strong plus in
using actual expenditures is that significant factors won't be
overlooked.

Whether using base amounts for a few key items or total
expenditures, results must be interpreted carefully. A 10%
cost increase can actually be no increase at ail, it a new
member is added to a family or if growing youngsters destroy
clothes and devour mountains of food. A 10% increase may
actually represent a relative decrease if someone has bought
a larger home. In short, all results must be examined to
determine if they reflect changed costs, changed buying
habits or both.

Assume the index is to be built around certain key items
(See figure 1, Index Items.) Items chosen may be quite
different, but the key to building a good index is selecting
appropriate items. Those items most likely to change, parti-
cularly those for which it's difficult to control quantity required
(food, fuel, etc.), should be tracked closely.

This index consists of 1 2 items. However, three are totals
of preceeding items; 3— Housing, 7— Cars and 10— Food.
Other items that might be included are car insurance, general

ITEM # **TYPE HEADING

BASE

CUR VAL

:hange

1
2

PAYMENT

UPKEEP

HOUSING

$37^
9^

$398,4

114.0

* 512.4

UP
UP
UP

.6.5%

21 .3%

9.5%

5
6
7

FUEL
UPKEEP
INSURANCE
CARS

135

* 254

154.7
$85.2
$77.3
317.2

UP
UP
UP
UP

14.6%

81.3%

7.4%

24-9%

MEAT

OTHER

FOOD

147

103

* 250

207.6
123.9
331.5

UP
UP
UP

41.2%
20.3%
32.6%

11
12

2
2

MEDICAL
CONSTANT

147
510

126.2
522.4

DOWN 14.1%
UP 2.4%

TOTAL INDEX

$1,629

$1,809.7

11.1%

Values comput

ed and ass 1 gned on

eac

computation o

f the In

dex.

**
1

An Item within a sect
End of a sect Ion .
A segment.

ion .

Figure 1 .

Index items

household, clothes, other insurance or entertainment, and
any section can be expanded. For example, other items under
food might include frozen, canned and fresh, and dairy
products are important in most families.

Item 12, Constant, is very important. Included in this
category are as many items as possible for which costs are
expected to remain constant. A house payment can be
included here, but the total for housing will be distorted.
Other possibilities are insurance of all kinds or the amount
required to replace a car.

In focusing on any single item, it may be necessary to
consider a representative product or an average of several
products. Consider meat, for example. The total prices per
pound of hamburger, chicken and steak multiplied by a
constant approximates the total meat bill. There are many
ways to derive this cost estimate, but the key is to identify a
total base amount that approximates what is actually spent on
meat in the base period. Further, since the computer is too

JUNE 1982

small to hold detailed information, accurate records of methods
used need to be available when the program is run again.

When a base period has been established (perhaps an
average of monthly expenditures last year) and base amounts
have been determined so that each amount is a close approxi-
mation to actual expenditures, it's time to turn to the program.

INDEX should be executed in DEFine mode. Use SHIFT SPC
to set key variables and display the menu. (SHIFT S saves
data to tape and SHIFT L loads data previously saved.)

To edit or insert new data, use SHIFT N. Each item entered
will be one of three types: an item (0), a section (1) or a
segment (2).

It's important to enter these types as follows. (The program
makes no effort to see this is done correctly.) Any heading
may be an item (type 0) and there can be as many items in a

= Offset to bypass program variables

Pointer to last element of data table in use

Flag: Zero if section, one if item, two if segment, a
section without items

' Base amount assigned to any heading

' Current amount assigned to any heading

' Flag: One, if using access data table routine for
listing. Zero, if editing data

= Accumulate total base for a section

' Accumulate total current value for a section

= Tempora ry va 1 ue

= Index to item in table

= Logical j tern number

* Total current value accumulated during computation
of i ndex

= Total base accumulated during computation of index

» Temporary val ue

Figure 2. Variables used

section as desired. But any set of items must be followed by a
section (type 1). The program, when computing the index,
totals items of a section and carries only the totals forward.
Use segment (type 2) at the end of the table. Totals are
treated by the program as sections without preceeding items.

The recommended form, therefore, is N items (type 0)
followed by a section heading (type 1 ). Repeat this pattern as
required. Place segments (type 2) at the end of the list. (Use
figure 1 as a guide to proper format.)

Enter headings, type code (0, 1 , or 2), base amounts and
current data. Amounts do not need to be entered for section
totals, as they are computed when the index is computed.
SHIFT D can be used to display the entire table. Note that any
item can be deleted by using a nonsense heading and setting
amounts to zero. Be sure to change the heading type to zero.

Since base amounts and heading types should not be
changed once the program is In use, it may be best to delete
this code when base amounts and types have been entered.
(Changing a base amount will generally invalidate any
comparisons between periods.) Another solution is to add
GOTOs to skip this code. If the routine is ever needed, it's
available when the GOTOs have been deleted.

As listed, the program leaves room for 1 9 headings. If more
headings are needed, consider deleting the menu (line 50)
and the save/load statements (lines 100 and 200). Two
memories are required for each item. D

Program on page 136

,^&:A

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CBM-IEEE MODEM

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JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 57 INTERFACE AGE 43

SUPERBRAINS

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44 INTERFACE AGE

We sell The Finest Software

COMPUTERS

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JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRT NO. 82

Expert Adwice

COMPUTERS

4167 Kivett Dr. ^ Jamestown N.C. 27282
®CP/M is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

919-883-1105

INTERFACE AGE 45

Assignment: Benchmark'

NEC

ASTRA 205

Advanced
Features in
a Japanese
Package

NEC Astra 205

Altos ACS8000-1 5

Wang 2200SVP

Pertec PCC 2000

North Star Horizon

Cromemco System Two

Texas Instruments 771

Vector Graphic System B

DECstatlon 78

Radio Shack TRS-80 model II

Apple II +

Digital Microsystems DSC-2

Ohio Scientific C3-A

Alpha Micro AM-1011

Data General CS/10 model C1

^ C-3

Accounts Receivable

Current Price i

Time (min.)

5:10.8

$ 9,890

10:41.5

$ 9,875

2:23.0

$14,600

6:04.3

$12,470

1:57.7

$ 6,911

2:48.0

$ 9,275 1

3:38.1

$12,100 '

5:56.5

$ 8,995

5:04.8*

$10,495

3:38.6

$ 7,609

6:17.4

$ 4,330

3:28.8

$ 9,015

15:49.3

$10,940

3:25.3

$15,605

* *

$13,400

Dynabyte 6300
Billings BC-1 2 DF2M
SO Systems SD-200
IBM Personal Computer

to be covered in future issues

* Result includes both compile and run time.

*Time of 2:40.3 was obtained using hard disk system.

by Hillel Segal

NEC Information Systems (Lexington, MA) now
markets a full line of small-to-medlum-size Japanese-
made computers. The entry-level model, the Astra 205,
underwent benchmark performance testing sponsored
by the Association of Computer Users and conducted
by the Business Research Division of the University
of Colorado.

This series of tests includes systems priced under
$25,000. Reported here are the results of the accounts
receivable test only. This test uses both disk and
processor operations, storing and retrieving information
on a set of hypothetical accounts.

46 INTERFACE AGE

NEC, formed in April, 1977 as a wholly-owned sub-
sidiary of Nippon Electric Co. (Tokyo, Japan), has
expanded its systems offerings rapidly over the past
several years. The products began coming to the U.S.
in 1978 with first shipments of the Spinwriter letter
quality printer and Thmliner band printers.

The 205 is one of five models in the Astra family, but
it is the only one whose hardware cannot be upgraded
to the level of the more advanced systems. Neverthe-
less, it is software-compatible, using the Astra operating
system with Cobol or Basic languages.

The Astra series was introduced in March 1 979, with a
line of OEM floppy and Winchester disk drives debuting
two months later. The Astra 205 was introduced in

JUNE 1982

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 19

November 1 980; as of early December about 1 00 units
had been sold to some 60 different customers. All
aspects of the system are built by NEC, from the micro-
processor on up to complete operator stations, diskette
and disk drives, and printers.

Key features of the systems software are a sophisti-
cated screen-face generator for writing applications
programs and a good data base management system.

System management utilities include various disk
and directory functions, sort and merge, a text editor,
compiler and linker. Printer spooling is available so
users can begin another task while the printer is being
used to generate hard copy output.

The Basic language is very Cobol-like, containing a
data division in which variable and data records are
defined. The langage allows easy manipulation of the
screen, including selective scroll areas, underlining,
prompts and checking the data as it is entered.

The compiler appeared to make extensive use of the
disk for storage while it was operating, and required 24
K bytes of storage itself. The compile process appeared
to be fairly slow, requiring several minutes for most
programs that were tested. Compile time, of course,
does not affect end users running the program, only
those participating in the program development/debug
process.

Astra applications software includes eight accounting
packages plus word processing. The business packages
are sales order processing and analysis, accounts
receivable and payable, general ledger, payroll and
inventory control.

Benchmark researchers examined the accounts
receivable package, and said they were impressed with
the care taken by NEC to create easy-to-use and error-
free systems. The package was well planned, made
extensive use of menus, forms fill-in, and automatic fill-
in of fields, and incorporated error-checking and other
features. The various business packages are fully
integrated to give the user a comprehensive automated
record keeping system.

Despite a 1 6-bit processor, the Astra was no faster in
the accounts receivable test than 8-bit computers
tested in this series. Run time for this test (6:10.8) was
about average. The Astra uses a compiled version of
Basic; compile time was about 1 1 minutes.

The interactive data management utility. Smart, may be
used to create, update and retrieve records as well as
generate reports. When used with the screen generator
utility. Smart can provide extensive applications by simply
defining the needed records, screen-faces and reporting
formats, in response to system prompting. Business
applications can be written in one-tenth the time required
with Basic or Cobol, according to NEC estimates.

The system editor is a screen-oriented version with
full cursor control, inserts, global search and replace,
block move, etc. It makes extensive use of the special
function keys for various commands.

The test system was an Astra 206 with CRT, pro-
cessor, 128K bytes of memory, detached keyboard,
two floppy drives (1.2-Mbyte each) and 120 cps dot-
matrix printer. Total current price for this configuration
would be just under $10,000.

The CRT features a 26-by-80 character green-on-
black screen with reverse video highlighting, blinking
fields and split-screen scrolling. The keyboard includes
27 special-function keys and a 10-key numeric pad,

46 INTERFACE AGE

Memory In the Astra 206 Is expandable In 64K-byte
Increments to a total of 266K bytes. Diskettes may be
added to realize a total of 4.8M bytes.

As the low end model in the Astra line, the 206 does
not offer hard disk expansion capability. Recent
memory and disk hardware upgrades announced by
NEC that pertain to the models 210, 230 and 260 do
not affect the model 206 at present. The newly-
released Astra 270, NEC's top model, is said to be
positioned next to IBM's System/38.

NEC offers two letter-quality printer models, running
at 36 and 66 cps, as well as three dot matrix printers at
1 00, 1 20 and 200 cps. The model 206, however, can
only attach a single printer.

Because the system is relatively new, with only
about 1 00 installed at last report, user comments were
not readily available. Of a half-dozen names supplied by
NEC, four turned out to be dealers.

The end users surveyed gave the Astra 206 generally
positive comments— especially in regard to the soft-
ware. "Super software and very comprehensive,"
commented one. "In some cases It might be more
software than a floppy system can use. It's got many
bells and whistles." Another user commented that
"inventory control is a very, very strong package."

Users are provided an extensive set of documentation
on the system. This includes a business Basic notebook,
with examples of how to use the system, and three
primary manuals on program development facilities,
utilities, and Basic programming. Other specific
manuals cover various aspects of the hardware and
optional software.

Our benchmarkers noted a mixed reaction to the
documentation. While complete, they encountered
unfamiliar terminology that made understanding It
more difficult.

Hardware service is provided by NEC or an authorized
independent service dealer. A maintenance contract is
available from NEC. One user indicated some start-up
problems, but said they had been satisfactorily
resolved. General reliability and maintenance response
were considered good.

Overall, benchmarkers viewed the system as a
comprehensive, sophisticated unit with many program-
ming features and considerable versatility. The
uniqueness of some aspects, such as differences in
the Basic language and resource management require-
ments (pre-allocating disk files and the data division
required in Basic), could make the system more difficult
for programmers to become accustomed to. But to the
end user, the quality of business software is a
prominent feature. Here the Astra stands out.

While NEC is a relative newcomer to the U.S. small
computer marketplace, it is developing a comprehensive
line of products and may be one of the first Japanese
suppliers to make a significant impact here. D

Research Associate: Vic Sclioenberg

Hillel Segal is president of ttie Association of
Computer Users, a nonprofit association with members
all over the U.S., Canada and several other foreign
countries. A complete package of information about
membership is available from ACU, Box 9003, Boulder,
CO 80301.

JUNE 1962

Bm IS THIS
COSTING YOU.

It's really quite basic: time is
money.

And BASIC takes a lot more
time and costs a lot more
money than it should every
time you write a new business
software package.

Especially when you
could speed things up with
dBASE II.

dBASE II is a complete
applications
development package.

Users tell us they Ve cut the amount of code they
write by up to 80% with dBASE II.

Because dBASE II is the high performance relational
database management system for micros.

Database and file handling operations are done
automatically so you don't get involved with sets, lists,
pointers, or even opening and closing of files.

Instead, you write your code in concepts.

And solve your customers' problems faster and for
a lot less than with BASIC (or FORTRAN, COBOL
or PL/I).

dBASE II uses English-like commands.

dBASE II uses a structured language to put you in
full control of your data handling operations.

It has screen handling facilities for setting up input
and output forms.

It has a built-in query facility, including multi-
key and sub-field searches, so you can DISPLAY
some or all of the data for any conditions you want
to apply.

You can UPDATE, MODIFY and REPLACE entire
databases or individual characters.

CREATE new databases in minutes, or JOIN data-
bases that already exist.

APPEND new data almost instantly, whether the
file has 10 records or tens of thousands.

SORT the data on as many keys as you want. Or
INDEX it instead, then FIND whatever you're looking
for in seconds, even using floppies.

Organize months worth of data in minutes with the
built-in REPORT. Or control every row and column
on your CRT and your printer, to format input and
output exactly the way you want it.

You can do automatic calculations on fields.

records and entire databases
with a few keystrokes, with
accuracy to 10 places.

Change your data or your
entire database structure
without re-entering all
your data.

And after youVe finished,
you can protect all that
elegant code with our run-
time compiler.

Expand your clientbase
with dBASE 11.

With dBASE II, you1l write programs a lot
faster and a lot more efficiently. You'll be able to
write more programs for more clients. Even take
on the smaller jobs that were out of the economic
question before. Those nice little foot-in-the- data-
base assignments that grow into bigger and better
bottom lines.

Your competitors know of this offer.

The price of dBASE II is $700 but you can try it
free for 30 days.

Call for our Dealer Plan and OEM run-time package
prices, then take us up on our money-back guarantee.
Send us your check and we'll send you a copy of
dBASE II that you can exercise on your CP/M system
any way you want for 30 days.

Then send dBASE II back and well return all of your
money, no questions asked.

During that 30 days, you can find out exactly how
much dBASE II can save you,
and how much more it lets
you do.

But it's only fair to warn
you: business programmers
don't go back to BASIC'S.

Ashton-Tate, 9929 Jefferson,
Los Angeles, CA 90230.
[213] 204-5570.

Ashton-Tate

©Ashton-Tate 19S1

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 7

INTERFACE AGE 49

Hardware Evaluation o-

Three Non-Atari

Accessories

for the Atari 800

by Roger H. Edelson

As a followup to last month's review of the Atari 800
system, let's take a look at three products manufactured
by other companies but useable with Atari machines to
enhance their capabilities. While Atari provides a listing
of programs available from non-Atari companies and
programmers, the company does not promote the same
acceptance of non-Atari hardware. Therefore, use of
these accessories is not sanctioned by Atari and may
void your warranty. How Atari could determine that you
have plugged in an unauthorized card or connected a
non-sanctioned peripheral is open to speculation, but
consider yourself warned. We have used each of these
accessories and experienced no problems with— or
damage to— our Atari 800.

The 32K-byte RAM unit from Mosaic Electronics,
(Oregon City, OR) provides an economical method of
expanding the random-access memory space of the
400/800 computers to the maximum 48K-byte capacity.
It costs less, and dissipates less heat than two
16K-memory boards. Replacing at least two memory
cards, the Mosaic board leaves one slot available for
expansion In the 800 system. Because of the use of
low-power memory elements. It does not overload the
computer power supply. The 32K RAM board Is ac-
companied by full documentation for installation Into an
Atari 400— a process that requires no soldering, and
minimal mechanical aptitude. Installation in an 800 model
only requires opening the interior metal cover. Inserting
the board with the non-component side facing the
keyboard.

The device uses high quality 4116 dynamic RAM
Integrated circuits— each storing 1 6K bits— to provide
the full 32K bytes of storage. The board is well de-
signed. It has gold-plated edge-connectors for added
reliability and adequate capacitor bypassing to assure
low-noise performance. The printed circuit board Is not
mounted In a plastic housing like the Atari modules, but
this does not handicap usage— and may improve heat
dissipation.

The Mosaic board is designed to take advantage of
the Atari bus structure by Incorporating proprietary
board-enable circuitry. It may be used with 8K or 1 6K
memory boards in either of the first two memory spaces.
One further advantage of the Mosaic design Is that with
the addition of an inexpensive companion card, the
module may be used without additional RAM boards.

50 INTERFACE AGE

The Atari 800 memory configuration diagrams accept-
able for this module are shown in the accompanying
figure.

Using the board is uncomplicated; just unpack the
card and plug It in. Using any of the allowable memory
configurations, the card is inserted with the non-
component side towards the keyboard. Then the door
is closed, followed by the cover, and the computer Is
powered up. Once in place, there is no discernible
change in screen clarity, indicating the board does not
excessively load the power supply or the system bus. If
you are suspicious, operation of the 32K RAM board
may be verified by entering "PRINT PRE (0)". If every-
thing is correct, the response will be a number greater
than 29,500. If problems are found that can't be solved
by repeating the installation procedure, return the board
to Mosaic; the company will test, repair or replace it
free of charge. This guarantee extends for four years
from the purchase date— a high tribute to conservative
design practice and high quality components.

Por those who want still more memory, the Ramdisk
from Axlon, Inc. (Sunnyvale, CA) provides 1 28K bytes in
one package. The Ramdisk is designed to operate only
with the Atari 800 and either two 16K-RAM boards or
one 1 6K- and one 8K-board. The unit is organized as
eight 1 6K-segments. It may be used to Increase the
RAM address space (through bank selection techniques)
to a maximum of 160K. When combined with the pro-
prietary Memory Management Software (MMS), the
Ramdisk can function as an electronic disk.

Since the disk may be used as eight separate 16K-
segments all occupying the same memory addresses
(4000H to 7PPPH), probably the most innovative use of
all this memory would be In the field of graphics and
animation. One can visualize a system that Instantly
switches from one memory segment to another, allow-
ing immediate transition from screen display to another
stored screen. This bank switching technique is much
faster than altering the Atari display list to obtain the
screen Information from a different location. Even more
spectacular effects are possible by changing from
memory bank to memory bank In the middle of a screen.

In most cases, no memory management program is
required to facilitate the above memory switching. The
memory segment in use is selected by writing the
segment number (1 through 8 in binary) to any address

JUNE 1982

In the range of either OFCO-OFFF(hex) or CFCO-
CFFF(hex). The last three bits of any data written to
these addresses selects the memory segment to be
active. As there are only eight segments that can be
selected, the segment number written to the controlling
addresses is actually modulo-8— in other words B4(hex)
and 04(hex) will place the same memory segment,
number 4, at the addresses 4000(hex) to 7FFF(hex).
As mentioned, either of the two addresses may be
used as the control locations for memory bank switching,
but as the Memory Management Software also occupies
the address space OFCO-OFFF(hex), it Is suggested
that when you write programs that operate with the
MMS, you avoid these locations and only use the
CFCO-CFFF(hex) addresses. Attempting to use the
bank-select memory organization with Basic— but
without the MMS— is probably not workable. When
performing the POKES that affect the segment switch-
ing, the result will likely shift the memory segments in
which the operating Basic program was stored into
Inactive memory.

Extraordinary application

While treating the Axlon Ramdisk as a bank selectable
memory is conducive to some interesting applications,
probably the most fascinating use of this memory is as
an electronic disk. In this application, the Ramdisk,
operating in conjunction with the Memory Management
Software is on the order of 20 times faster than a
mechanical disk, and is fully compatible with existing
Atari 800 software. In fact, when the operating system
boots up with MMS, the Ramdisk is assigned as Drive
4, or D4:. This increased disk access speed lends itself
to the sorts and data management functions required
by a mail list program. Another time-saving use for the
Ramdisk emerges through the production of multiple
copies of the same disk. The electronic disk reduces
by a factor of two the time needed to transfer disk
contents, or just files, to the copy floppy disk.

There are, however, a couple of minor disadvantages
associated with the Ramdisk system— you must take
the time to load the disk at the start of a session with
your computer, and there is some overhead (both time
and memory locations)— associated with MMS.

To use the Ramdisk as an electronic disk. It is first
necessary to create an operating system that combines
the Atari DOS 2.0S and the Axlon-supplied MMS. The
MMS disk Is nof supplied with the Atari DOS 2. OS. You
must already own this disk operating system. If this
requirement Is met along with the requisite memory—
either 2-1 6K boards or 1 -1 6K and 1 -8K board— you are
ready to go. Open the circuit board cover of the Atari
800, insert the Ramdisk printed circuit board in the slot
between the two RAM cards (the side that says Ramdisk
on It should face forward, towards the keyboard), close
the cover and power up.

Axlon supplies a CREATE program for ease in gener-
ating the complete Memory Management Software that
incorporates the Atari DOS 2. OS. It is not absolutely
necessary to use this program to generate the Memory
Management Software, but without using CREATE,
you must thoroughly understand the Atari DOS. When
you ran the CREATE program. It will Interactively guide
you through the procedures and will place the following
files on the final disk:

DOS.SYS
DUP.SYS
AUTORUN.SYS

The first two files are the part of the standard Atari
DOS 2. OS, and the autorun file contains the Memory
Management Software. Since autorun files are loaded
automatically whenever the disk is booted, you must not
place these files on a disk already containing an autorun
file. If It is necessary to have additional AUTORUN.SYS
files on the disk, these should be appended to the
MMS autof lie, which can be accomplished by using the
DOS COPY function with the APPEND option "/A".

32K

MEMORY CONFIGURATION D
40K

lAGRAM

48K

16K

1 8K

16K

1 OS

EMPTY

16K

32K

32K 1

EMPTY

COMPANION

32K

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 51

MICROSTAFM Release 2.0

nfltn^ Just some of the new features of Microstat Rel. 2.0 in-
" elude: new programs for moments about the mean, skewness.

kurtosis and stepwise multiple regression, longer file names, faster
sort routine, the ability to declare each data file's numeric precision
and drive location plus an expanded user's manual with new appendi-
ces for the equations and file structures used in Microstat. Also
included is a Data Management Subsystem for file maintenance (edit,
list, destroy, augment, sort, rank-order, move and merge) plus trans-
formations (add, subtract, multiply, divide, reciprocal, log, natural log
and antilog, exponentiation and linear) that allow you to create new
variables from existing variables.

After file creation with DMS, programs for analysis include: Descrip-
tive statistics. Hypothesis testing (mean and proportion), ANOVA
(one-way, two-way, and random blocks), Scatterplots, Frequency
distributions. Correlation analysis. Simple, Multiple and Stepwise
Multiple Regression (including files larger than available memory).
Time series, 11 Nonparametric tests, 8 Probability distributions,
Crosstabs and Chi-square, Combinations, Permutations and Factor-
ials (up to one million factorial). All program output is neatly formatted
for easy use.

The price for Microstat Rel. 2.0 is $235.00 and the user's manual is
available for $25.00 (credited towards purchase) and includes sample
printouts with file lables that reference standard statistical texts and
journals so you can compare the results from Microstat to those
produced on much larger systems. Compare Microstat to any other
package on the market and we think you'll agree that Microstat is the
best at any price.

ECOSOFT, INC,

P.O. BOX 68602

INDIANAPOLIS. IN 46268-0602

(317) 283-8883

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 30

Multiuser

tnicroconiiputers ^

— apTo l9MB Winchester
from $7,295*

For Performance

Our 5H" Winchester disk drive is
coupled with an 8" diskette drive
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ideal for multiuser environments.

Enhanced CP/M-MP/M or OASIS
multiuser operating system for
the speed of a mini with the ease ^
of a micro — supports up to 8
terminals and 16 printers.

See for yourself

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Integrated accounting, word
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software systems support a wide
variety of businesses.

*5605-A2-64K, 6MB Winchester, 8" Diskette Drive - $7,295 ( Domestic list)
5605-B2-64K, 12MB Winchester, 8" Diskette Drive-$7,995 (Domestic list)
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CP/M; MP/M— trademarks of Digital Research, Inc. OASIS— trademark of Phase One Systems, Inc.

52 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 29

Besides the CREATE program and the AUTORUN.SYS
file, Axlon provides four other useful programs on the
floppy disk included with the Ramdisk:

ASSIGN— Allows selection of a different

default assignment of the RAM-
DISK (normally D4:).
RAMSCAN— Memory test program
MEMTEST— Another memory test program
NOMEMSAV— Alters the normal MEM.SAV capa-
bility of DOS
RAMDISK.DOC— A copy of the RAMDISK manual,
ready to print.

Again, the Axlon-supplied disk does not contain Atari
DOS 2. OS and will not boot by Itself without using the
CREATE program.

The Ramdisk utilizes 64K dynamic RAM chips. In my
unit, these are Motorola MCM6666L20-integrated
circuits, which have a typical access time of 200 nS
and very low power requirements: only 276 mW per
1 6K chip for the active memory locations, and less than
200 mW for the circuits that are In the deselected,
refresh-only mode. The 1 28K Ramdisk actually requires
less power than two 16K RAM modules, and therefore
will not overload the computer power supply. The board
is well-built, gold plating is used on the edge connectors
for increased reliability, and there Is a semi-plastic case
that makes It appear similar to a standard Atari module.
Sufficient filtering is provided by the use of a 0.1 ufd
capacitor to bypass the power and ground line at each
of the 1 6 memory chips. The result Is no on-screen or
bus interference. The Ramdisk comes attractively
packed inside a three-ring binder, which also contains a
1 6-page manual. It is backed by a relatively standard
90-day warranty against parts and workmanship. The
increased speed of disk I/O and the versatility of bank
selection make it a very attractive choice for a second
disk drive.

We were recently Informed by the company that a
revised model Ramdisk board is now available, which
includes a switch to disable the bank selection feature
so the memory will mimic a standard 1 6K-byte board.
This Is necessary when operating with the Atari text
processor, or disastrous results will occur. As an
example of Axlon's excellent customer service, the
company will modify all early Ramdisk boards to add
this feature at no cost to the user.

The MIcroconnectlon, available from the Micro-
peripheral Corp. (Redmond, WA) combines the features
of a direct connection modem and. In some options, an
expansion interface to an RS-232 serial port compatible
printer. With the MIcroconnectlon, the Atari computer
can Interface both with a modem and a printer— without
an Atari 860 Interface module. The MIcroconnectlon Is
available In other versions, and for other computers
(the Atari I/O cable, the TRS-80, the Apple, and the
Pet), but only the Atari bus-decoding version was
reviewed. Only the bus-decoding versions of the Micro-
connection provide the optional Interface to a serial-
compatible printer. With additional options (the Auto-
module), the modem portion of the MIcroconnectlon
will automatically dial and answer the telephone.

The advantage of the Microconnectlon's direct
connect design Is that the unit plugs directly Into the
telephone line, and there Is no need for an acoustic
coupler with Its attendant decreased sensitivity and

JUNE 1982

THE COMPLETE
MAILING
LABEL &

FILING SYSTEM

ULTRA PLOT

SUPERB BUSrSS
GIWHCS

AND THE
INTERFAa

EETWEBM THEM

(WITH FILE UTILITIES)

Also Includod. spocial disk:

Inttodudlon To Flla

M«lnl*tt«irc» Wim Your

(AvalabiD SoDaraluty: S10 00)

SMALL

BUSINESS

TRILOGY

jir

ULTRA PLOT
D.I.F.
DATA
GRAPH

Creates Ultra Plot ct^arls,
maps and graphs
from any DIF files

THE ULTRA PLOi
CONNECTIONS =

SMALL BUSINESS TRILOGY

*lhe. Friendliest System for Your Apple^'^"

Now you can use our Complete Mailing Label &
Filing System for dynamic file maintenance: labels I to
4 across, duplicate labels, customized labels; elaborate
multi-level COUNT/SORTs, range sorts and partial field
sorts; Formatted 80-column (or more) reports. A friend-
ly manual and straighforward disk menus make this
system a breeze to learn and use.

Ultra Plot is beautiful business graphics, completely
menu driven (with no commands to learn). Create Bar
Charts, Stacked Bar Charts, Line Graphs, Filled Line
Graphs, Scatter Charts, Pie Charts, Hi-Low Graphs, and
(UNIQUE) Map Charts. Includes statistics. Data files or
pictures may be saved to disk, edited, superimposed, etc.

The Ultra Plot/Complete Mailing Label & Filing
System Interface allows you to use your mailing
system data files to create Ultra Plot data or picture files.
See all of your mailing system information in graph
or chart form! This utility will total and average; search,
sort, and count. Also includes utilities: merge, reformat,
index any field, subfile creation based on any search/sort
you want.

Your first step (and maybe your last) with your Apple
Computer.

Requires Applesoft ROM, 48K, I or 2 Disk Drive,
DOS 3.3.

8 Diskf uls, S part 3-ring manual $ 1 75.00

TRILOGY with DIF Option $199

GET CONNECTED!

Are you using VisiCalc*, CCA*, Executive
Secretary*, Visifile*, Visitrend*, DB Master* or

any other programs that create D.I.F.* (Data Inter-
change Format) Files???

Now you can easily create Line Graphs. Filled Line
Graphs, Bar Charts. Stacked Bar Charts, Pie Charts,
Scatter Charts, Hi-Low Charts, and our UNIQUE U.S.
Map Chart. ..directly from your D.I.F. Files.

ULTRA PLOT/DIF/DataGraph (which includes our
ULTRA PLOT package and the special ULTRA
PLOT/DIF/INTERFACE) will:

5} Relegate all data given into
STATE categories

6) Match data for any field

7) Match data for any partial field

8) Total up to 9 partial fields in
any field

1) Do search/select sorts

2) Total any number of fields
(vectors) at once

3) Average any number of fields
at once

4) Range sort on up to 9 fields
at once

Optional Concomitant selection criteria may be used in all of the above in-
cluding (a) range sorts on up to 9 fields, (b) Full-field data-matching on up to 9
fields at once, with up to 9 values inputted for each field, (c) Partial-field
data-matching on up to 9 fields at once, with up to 9 values inputted for each
partial field

One minute you'll search your DJ.F. Files, and the next minute you'll see
any type of chart or graph you might possibly want to create, (You may
overlay charts and graphs too)

The introductory price of ULTRA PLOT/
DIF/DataGraph is $99 (includes ULTRA PLOT/
D.I.F./lnterface and ULTRA PLOT).

If you already have ULTRA PLOT, (or you'd just like the search & sort
capability of the Interface) you may purchase the ULTRA PLOT/DIF/lnter-
face separately for $34.95.

Requires Apple II* with Applesoft' ROM. ^BK. DOS 3.3

"Apple II and Applesoft are registered trademarks of Apple Computer. Inc.
Data Interchange Format and DIF are registered trademarks of Software Arr< I
Executive Sectrecary is a registered trademark of Personal Business Systems.
I trademark of DB Master Associates
I, and CCA are registered trademarks of Personal Sohs

.'i(;r--'ir

VctM'iif^^ <vkT^^^

f»j

AVANT-GARDE CREATIONS
P.O. Box 30160
Eugene, OR 97403 g
(503)345-3043 ■

JUNE 1982

aRCLE INQUIRY NO. 10

Send today for our NEW full-color
56-page catalog with continuous
checks, statements, invoices, stationery,
envelopes, supplies and accessories.
We will also send our FORMS
SELECTOR GUIDE, to help you find the
right forms for your software.

• Quality products
at low prices

• Available in small quantities

• Fast Service

• Money-Back Guarantee

• Convenient TOLL-FREE
ordering

Fast Service by mail or. . .PHONE TOLL FREE
7 + S00-225-9550

Mass. residents 1 + 800-922-8560
8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday — Friday

P!eas3 rush a new compuler forms catalog lo;

CITY. STATE and ZIP

Hardware and Software being used.

I Con^ubrFonns —"U

78 Mollis Street, Groton, Massachusetts 01471

A division of New England Business Service, Inc.

54 INTERFACE AGE CIRCLE inquiry no. 61

Increased bit-error rate. Further, a direct connection
modem is not subject to ambient room noise condi-
tions—nor does it Intrude Itself by producing an audible
whistle. A unique feature of the MIcroconnectlon Is Its
ability to spool ASCII data to a cassette recorder. Using
this feature, on-line communications may be stored on
the tape for convenient playback. As the modem does
not know If the data Is coming from the cassette (during
playback), or the telephone line, this can be useful for
saving data for late examination and utilization.

The MIcroconnectlon has been approved by the
FCC, but the user must meet certain conditions to fully
comply with the appropriate Rules and Regulations
covering direct Interconnection to the national switched
telephone network. A user of this device must so advise
his local telephone company, and only Microperipheral
Corp. authorized personnel may make repairs— even
after the warranty expires. Only standard modular
telephone jacks are to be used, and no connections
may be made to party lines or coin-operated telephone
systems. Because of the servicing restriction. It Is not
possible to obtain schematics of the MIcroconnectlon.
Therefore I can't comment on the circuit design.
However, the unit functioned flawlessly.

The MIcroconnectlon includes the main module
consisting of the circuit board, switches. Indicator
LEDS, and cords, and a small power transformer, plus a
complete user manual. The latter takes you from the
connection of the power lines to the line-plug/trans-
former through the complete Interconnection procedure.
It describes the AUTO feature, the use of the tape-
recorder spooling function, and a sample program for
initializing the AUTO version of the modem. The manual
even offers a listing of compatible dial-up networks.
The LED indicators provide status on the unit power
ON/OFF and a CARRIER light, which will indicate when
the modem Is on-line. The switches allow power ON/
OFF, ORIGINATE/ANSWER, and DATAA/OICE control;
the DATAA/OICE switch allows the telephone system
to be placed Into the "normal" mode so that callers will
not find a busy line when trying to reach your number.
The ORIGINATE/ANSWER switch Is self-descriptive,
allowing set-up of the desired modem mode.

User-friendly manual

The user manual leads you step-by-step through the
Installation procedures, providing checks and tests for
each major Item. A separate section discusses the
Auto MIcroconnectlon version with a particular emphasis
on the RS-232 handshaking signals. If you have prob-
lems, the company has a unique technique for providing
help to those who legitimately need it, while reducing
time wasting "conversation callers." If you call for help
or advice, the first 1 6 minutes are free. After that you're
charged at the rate of $60 per hour (you are expected
to be ready to provide a major charge-card number
when you call).

One of the limitations of the MIcroconnectlon mo-
dem/Interface unit Is that It Is a dumb peripheral device,
as contrasted with most Atari peripherals, which are
Intelligent. The Atari Intelligent units generally contain
their own microprocessor for greater flexibility. The
Atari peripherals are always ON and are addressable
from the computer. This unit will respond to any signals
on the I/O cable, even though they were Intended for
another peripheral. Because of this limitation, the

JUNE 1982

MIcroconnection can interfere with the computer's I/O
to another device and it is possible to destroy diskette
information by attempting to perform normal disk I/O
operations while the modem is online. Therefore, if you
are doing input/output to the MIcroconnection, it is
necessary to close the modem lOCB before you perform
any input or output to another device. This limitation
only applies to external devices connected to the Atari
home computer system through I/O cables, and does
not affect operation of the keyboard, screen, or screen
editor.

To make the product even more useful, the company
offers two programs— TSmart, a smart terminal program,
and Typer-A, which allows the MIcroconnection to be

The MIcroconnection

has been approved by

the FCC, but the user

must meet certain

requirements

used as an RS-232 interface between the computer
and serial devices such as an Epson printer. Both of
these programs are supplied on tape cassettes, which
are easily transferred to disk. Typer-A eliminates the
need for the Atari 860 interface module to operate a
non- Atari printer by making the MIcroconnection into a
standard Atari peripheral device. It does this by providing
a new symbolic device name— M:, and if the program
uses a LIST"M:", PRINT #iocb, or PUT #iocb state-
ment, the output will go to the RS-232 port on the
MIcroconnection. If a serial printer is connected to this
port, the program output will be printed. If the VOICE/
DATA is in the DATA position, an OPEN statement for
device M: will cause the phone to go "off hook" and
the earlier statements will cause the program output to
be sent over the telephone line.

The TSmart program permits transfer of Basic pro-
grams between a remote host computer and an Atari
cassette or disk storage device, allowing off-line text
preparation with a text-editing program for on-line
transmission. TSmart support the autodial feature if the
user has the Auto-Microconnection version, and a built-
in feature permits creation and storage of text— then
transmission by TSmart for those without a text editor.
TSmart also recognizes the automatic buffer open/
close (X-ON/X-OFF) codes. An AUTOBUF feature will
open and close the memory storage buffer when up-
loading or downloading. The program is particularly
friendly in its operation with bulletin boards. It will
automatically download from Forum-80 boards, and is
compatible with the standardized block mode and
16-line prompt recognition message entry format.

For Atari owners requiring a modem, the Micro-
connection provides a quality 300-baud, Bell 103-
compatible unit. A full autodial/autoanswer can be added
at minimal cost. Besides providing a modem superior in
design to an acoustic coupler, the MIcroconnection
also offers an RS-232 port for a printer connection.
This makes the unit extremely cost-effective. D

JUNE 1982

WARNING!

Electric Power Pollution.
Spikes & Lightning
HAZARDOUS to
MICROCOMPUTERS! ! «_---^

Patented ISOLATORS provide ^B^^ IBiP^ ISO-i
protection from . . .

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• Spike damage caused by
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• Lightning caused damage
MONEY BACK GUARANTEE! '^^^ #4 259,705

• ISOLATOR (ISO-1) 3 Isolated 3-prong sockets; Spike Suppression;
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• ISOLATOR (ISO-2) 2 Isolated 3-prong socket banks; (6 sockets
total); Spike Suppression; useful for multiple equipment Installa-
tions $69.95

• SUPER ISOLATOR (ISO-3) similar to ISO-1 except double Isolation &
oversize Spike Suppression; widely used for severe electrical noise
situations such as factories or large offices $104.95

• SUPER ISOLATOR (ISO-11) similar to ISO-2 except double isolated
socket banks & Oversize Spike Suppression; for the larger system In
severe situations $104.95

• MAGNUM ISOLATOR (ISO-17) 4 Quad Isolated Sockets; Multiple
Spike Suppressors; For ULTRA-SENSITIVE Systems In extremely
Harsh environments $181.95

• CIRCUIT BREAKER, any model (Add-CB) Add $9.00

• REMOTE SWITCH, any model (Add-RS) Add $16.00

AT YOUR DEALERS MasterCard, Visa, American Express

ORDER TOLL FREE 1-800-225-4876 (except AK, HI, PR & Canada)

/S^ Electronic Specialists, Inc.

171 South Mam Street. Box 369. Natich. Mass 01760
(617)655 1532

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 33

EXPAND YOUR

ATARI 400''

TO 32K!

FOR ONLY $ll9aV5

Now with the Mosaic Expander and your
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*Trade Mark of Atari Inc.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 60

INTERFACE AGE 55

CP/M Handbook
Rodnay Zaks

A complete guide and reference handbook
for CP/M. the industry standard in
operating systems. Step-by-step instruction
for everything from turning on the system
and inserting the diskette to correct user
discipline and remedial action for problem
situations. Included are a comprehensive
description of all CP/M facilities and
resources, instructions for advanced
operations and complete discussions of all
versions of CP/M up to and including 2.2.
MP/M and CDOS.
Order No. 0-89588-048-2 $14.95

Inside BASIC Games
Richard Mateosian

This book teaches you how to design
error-free interactive BASIC programs
including games and other real-time
situations. Eight computer games are
described in detail, illustrating how
they were designed and developed in
BASIC. All facets of a game program
design, including program structuring,
cursor positioning, randomization and other
concepts are discussed. Programs for
games such as Hangman, Ten-Key Flicker
and Taxman are coded in Microsoft BASIC.
Versions are also provided for PET/CBM,
Apple II and TRS-80.
Order No. 0-89588-055-5 $1 4.95

Don't (Or How to Care
for Your Computer)
Rodnay Zaks

Most "computer failures" are caused by
ignorance or negligence. This is the first
book that explains how to eliminate common
computer problems. In plain language, with
numerous illustrations, this book tells all
the do's and don'ts of the care,
preservation and correct operation of a
small computer systm. You'll find chapters
on each piece of hardware and software as
well as safety, security precautions and
help for problem situations. If you want
your computer to work and keep working,
this book is indispensable.
Order No. 0-89588-065-2 $11.95

The PASCAL Handbook
Jacques Tlberghlen

A complete reference guide for every
PASCAL instruction, function, operator or
reserved word. Each symbol or word is
described in its own section which includes
syntax, definition and examples of its use.
Order No. 0-89588-053-9 $1 8.95

DISCOVER
OF SYBEX

Introduction to Word Processing
Hal Glatzer

This book explains in plain language what a
word processor can do, how to use one,
how it improves productivity— especially in
businesses that use lots a words— and how
to buy one wisely. Find out just how
electronics has revolutionized the handling
of words and information. A description of
the commonly used word processing terms
is included in a 20 page glossary. If you
are thinking about buying a word processor,
have just started using one. or want to get
the most from the one you have, this is the
book for you.
Order No. 0*89588-076-8 $1 2.95

6502 Applications Book
Rodnay Zaks

This book presents real-life application
techniques for any 6502-based micro-
computer board. It teaches you how to
connect the board to the outside world and
implement practical applications. Programs
range from a complete home alarm system
to industrial applications.
Order No. 0-89588-01 5-6 $1 2.95

6502 Games Book
Rodnay Zaks

This book is designed as an educational
text on advanced programming techniques.
It presents a comprehensive set of
algorithms and programming techniques for
common computer games. All the programs
are developed for the 6502 at the
assembly language level.
Order No. 0-89588-022-9 $1 2.95

Programming the Z-80
Rodnay Zaks

Covers the essential aspects of the Z-80,
and brings the reader to where he/she can
write complete application programs.
Order No. 0-89588-069-5 $1 5.95

m *

Je«

Programming the Z8000
Richard Mateosian

This book describes, in detail, the
architecture and function of the Z8000 and
Its family of support chips. It provides an
introduction to machine language
programming using the Z8000, and
presents many sample programs.
Order No. 0-89588-032-6 $1 5.95

Programming the 6502
Rodnay Zaks

This book covers all aspects of
programming the 6502 from basic
concepts to advanced data structures.
Designed as a progressive course with
exercises to test the reader at every step,
resulting in the ability to write complete
applications programs.
Order No. 0-89588-046-6 $1 3.95

THE LAND

YOURnisr

COMPVTER

DYNAMICS
TECHNOLOGY

i^ty^ M

P fjii t \) L

lOD PASCAL

Introduction to PASCAL
Rodnay Zaks

A step-by-step introduction for anyone
wanting to learn the language quickly and
completely. Each concept is explained
simply and in a logical order. All features of
the language are presented in a clear, easy-
to-understand format with exercises to test
the reader at the end of each chapter.
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Microprocessors:
From Chips to Systems
Rodnay Zaks

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Order No. 0-89588-042-3 $1 4.95

Apple PASCAL Games

Douglas Hergert and Joseph 7. Kaiash

This book presents a collection of popular
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Apple PASCAL. Each game includes a
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program, a "structure chart" graphically
illustrating the organization of the program,
and a listing of the entire program. You are
challenged not only to play the game, but
to discover how games are implemented
on the computer. For the game player who
knows BASIC, this book can be an informal
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already know PASCAL, here is a collection
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Your First Computer
Rodnay Zaks

This book explains what a computer
system is. what it can do. how it works,
and how to select the various components
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Fifty BASIC Exercises
J,P, Lamoitier

This book is designed to teach BASIC
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System of the Month

EAGLE n

by Tom Fox

As a manufacturer of business microcomputer systems,
Eagle Computer (Campbell, CA) possesses an unlikely
pedigree. Back in 1971, Eagle began life in another
arena: the world of entertainment.

Somewhere along the way. Eagle (formerly AVL),
developed an automated controller for banks of slide
projectors. Its function is to choreograph a phalanx of
flickering frames in precise time with a pre-recorded
sound track. Six or more 36-millimeter slide projectors
are involved, each with remotely controlled film motion
and lamp intensity. Programming such a show is the
labor of artists with skills like those of cartoon movie
animators. It can take weeks to get the split-second
timing just right in a brief 10-minute show. It's a prime
task for computer assistance.

Beginning with a hobbyist-intended S-100 computer,
Eagle began to build and sell increasingly more sophis-
ticated controllers for slide projectors. The people at
Eagle soon became enchanted with the power of the
tiny processors and their ability to do much more than
the originally conceived task.

Today, we see Eagle as a manufacturer of three
related microcomputer systems— dubbed Eagles I
through III. All are compact, single-piece desktop units.
All come equipped with enough standard software to
get a small business humming into the computer age.
We selected the middle-of-the-line Eagle II for our

56 INTERFACE AGE

testing. It sits smack in the middle of a highly competi-
tive field. Let's explore what it has to offer.

"Turnkey" is the old-time computer word that seems
to fit the Eagle II more closely than almost any other
microcomputer in the business. Although lacking the
key itself, the Eagle II is a carefully balanced package
that gets up and running with a bare minimum of effort
on the part of the purchaser. Here's how the first few
minutes go:

1) Take the Eagle II out of the shipping carton.

2) Plug it in.

3) Insert a diskette marked DRIVE A (TOP) into
the top diskette drive.

4) Turn the power switch to ON.

6) Push keys 1-6 in accordance with the menu of
activities that appears on the screen.

What you see is tha main menu of the integrated
accounting system. Hit the proper keys, and the com-
puter will lead you through descending a tree of similar
menus by which you command the system to do your
bidding. The machine will ask you to do little that is
more complicated than the steps listed above.

Compare this with the start-up procedure required
by many of today's micros. Separate disk drives,
terminals and video screens often need connecting.

JUNE 1982

Program and data disks need formatting and Initializing.
Languages (such as Basic) need to be integrated with
the operating system (such as CP/M). The operating
system itself may need modification, depending upon
the configuration of computer and peripheral equip-
ment. Applications programs need to be collected and
made to run with the computer/operating system/
language combination just assembled. All of these
tasks are fraught with opportunities for mistakes. It's a
chain of procedures that has bogged down more than
one business person who simply wanted a cheap,
simple-to-run machine for keeping track of a small
company's financial condition.

An Eagle II takes the desk space of a good-sized
typewriter (21 -in. wide by 18-in. deep), and sits just
under 14-in. tall. It appears to be divided into two
pieces, but isn't. The bottom part holds the keyboard,
and supports an upper portion housing display screen
and a pair of floppy diskette drives.

The display screen measures 1 2-in. diagonally, and
holds up to 12 rows of characters, 80 characters per
row. The screen features the restful P31 green phos-
phor, and displays normal or reversed video (black
letters on green background), depending upon the
program being run. The wide-bandwidth (30 MHz)
video monitor displays crisp, well-defined images.
There is no evidence of graphics capabilities; this
screen is strictly for letters and numbers.

The keyboard contains 75 keys, arranged like a lot of
computers you've probably seen. The larger mass on
the left forms an enhanced typewriter layout, with the
block on the right resembling the pad of a desktop
calculator. Many of the keys sport secondary markings
on their front edges. These are for the word processing
program. It's worth a note, however, that the four
traditional arrow keys for moving the cursor around on
the screen are missing; the calculator-style number
keys perform double duty for this purpose.

N-key rollover circuitry is incorporated to keep fast
typists from overrunning the input capabilities of the
computer. There's a handy CAPS LOCK push-on,
push-off key (mislabeled SHIFT LOCK), which disables
all the lower case letters without affecting the numeric
or punctuation keys. All keys Incorporate IBM's "typa-
matic" trick: they repeat continuously if held down for
more than a half-second or so. With this capability, one
wonders why Eagle bothered to Include a separate
REPEAT key.

Twin diskette drives

The Eagle II comes equipped with a pair of identical
floppy diskette drives. They accept standard soft-
sectored 5-1/4-in. minifloppy diskettes, and hold
1 /2M-byte of data on each of the two online diskettes.
A baleful red eye on the front of each drive and rude
groaning sound announce that a diskette Is being read-
from or written-to.

The only other manipulatable items on the Eagle II
are arranged along the rear of the machine. The power
ON/OFF switch is there, as is the seldom-used RESET
button. The latter item is needed to re-boot the com-
puter whenever the user makes a drastic change in
programs, such as switching from word processing to
accounting functions. The rear panel also supports
four input/output (I/O) connectors: two serial and two
parallel. The remaining item of note is a tiny muffin fan

JUNE 1982

that blows a continuous stream of warm air extracted
from the innards of the computer.

Beyond exterior appearance, it is the applications
software that establishes a computer's personality to
the end user. In the case of the Eagle II, this personality
is a set of programs selected by Eagle and presented en
bloc with the computer system. There are no choices; no
add-on option list to puzzle over. The canned software
comes in two pieces: an Integrated set of accounting
programs collectively called Accounting Plus and the
Spellbinder word processing program. These programs
run on top of a plain CP/M operating system that is
essentially invisible to the user.

Accounting Plus is a rich, fairly complex network of
accounting programs created by Software Dimensions
(Citrus Heights, CA) and marketed by Systems Plus (Palo
Alto, CA). The value of the Eagle II is illuminated when you

The Eagle II

sits smack in the

middle of a highly

competitive field

realize that, in some stores, the retail price of this soft-
ware is almost exactly 50% of the full price of the Eagle
computer system. The accounting package includes nine
major modules, many of them interrelated via common
data files: point of sale, sales order entry, accounts re-
ceivable, payroll, purchase order entry, accounts
payable, general ledger, inventory and system utilities.

Roughly speaking, the first three programs deal with
the income-producing side of a business— the next
three, with the outgoing cash. General Ledger provides
a method for reporting all of this activity to the
business manager(s). Inventory, of course, keeps track
of a company's stock on hand.

An Important characteristic of the Accounting Plus
package Is that it is essentially unmodifiable by the
user, even If he Is an accomplished programmer.
Written in the semi-compiled language of CBasic2, only
the run-time modules are supplied. With no source
code to modify, a programmer cannot make alterations.
This is the main reason for the Systems Utilities module.
Through this module, parameter changes unique to the
installation can be conveniently altered. This includes
such data as the company name, aging periods for
accounts receivable and several others.

The accounting package contains all the features
necessary to manage a small wholesale or retail busi-
ness that sells from a stock of goods. If your business
is service-related, you can simply neglect to activate
the portions that deal with Inventory. Similarly, cash-
only firms have little need for an accounts receivable
function. We can't imagine any business that could not
use the general ledger, however. Those modules that
are activated communicate directly with the general
ledger reporting module so that the profit-and-loss
statement Is always up-to-date.

Lacking some of the audit trail controls of other
accounting packages, this software seems ideally

INTERFACE AGE 59

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 13

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60 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 42

suited for the situation where the business owner Is the
computer operator as well. See "Business Software
Review" (I A Jun 81).

The Eagle ll's other major software program is the
Spellbinder word processor from Lexisoft (Davis, CA).
Spellbinder Is a nicely balanced package containing
some advanced features that come as a pleasant
surprise In a computer of this size. It offers, for example,
the opportunity to define "macros"— customized com-
binations of command sequences that can be called up
with a single keystroke. The mail merge operation is
implemented in this manner. Word-breaking hyphens
come In three formats: hard, firm and soft. Such fine
distinctions are necessary because of the rather arbi-
trary usage of this character In the English language.

In the microcomputer field. Spellbinder stands almost
alone in Its ability to produce true proportionally-spaced
printouts. Presuming that the user's printer is able to
handle the task (most dalsywheel printers can), this
word processor will allot narrower spaces for little 'T's
and give the monster capital "W" room to spread Its
wings.

Operations are simple

Spellbinder has been nicely adapted to the Eagle II,
to the extent that 28 of the keyboard buttons carry
secondary markings Intended strictly for word pro-
cessing functions. Operations like listing a directory of
documents on a diskette. Inserting or deleting text and
displaying a brief "help" message are but a single
keystroke away.

The Eagle II has no hardware options: There Is no
opportunity for the user to add on memory, I/O ports or
the like. Internally, the computer's most essential
electronics are spread over a single 9-ln. by 14-ln.
circuit board. The board contains an 8-blt Z-80A micro-
processor operating at 4 MHz, a full house of random-
access memory (64K bytes) and the parts necessary to
manage the keyboard, display screen and four I/O
ports. There Is mention in the literature about the
possibility of adding a Winchester hard disk drive, but
this would be an operation best left to your local dealer.

User documentation Is consistent with Eagle's overall
philosophy— heavy on the "how to use It" side, light on
"why It's done this way" explanations. Two manuals
are provided. The leaner of the two contains a brief
40-page User's Guide and 1 0O-page Spellbinder manual.
The other book is several times as thick, and devoted
entirely to Accounting Plus applications. There is no
opportunity for the user to do his own software pro-
gramming on the Eagle II, so there are no manuals that
would apply to this activity. Similarly, no information Is
offered in the area of troubleshooting or hardware
maintenance.

The Eagle II, complete as described here, lists for
$4,995. One would have to add a printer before the
computer would be useful in its Intended function.
Budget from $700 to $3,500 for this Item, depending
upon requirements for speed and print quality. At
$3,995, the Eagle I has but a single diskette drive, and
omits the accounting plus package, which requires two
drives for its operation. The Eagle III sells for $5,995,
and Is equipped with higher density disk drives for a
total of 2M bytes of on-line diskette storage. Otherwise,
It Is Identical to the Eagle II. D

JUNE 1982

TYPE "T" FOR TEACH.

THAT'S ALL YOU DO TO LEARN

SELECT is the only word processor with this unique teaching program. TEACH takes
you through each of SELECT'S commands. Step by stepyou interact with the computer
and see your progress on the screen. You can learn the basics of this fully featured word
processor before you take it home. And at the end of your TEACH program (90 minutes or
less) you'll be ready to use SELECT to compose, reorganize, file and manipulate just about
any document you want.

When you want to Create or Erase, Move or Zap, key only the first letter of the com-
mand. After committing your document to SELECT, polish it with the help of SUPER-
SPELLTM SELECT'S multi-thousand word spelling dictionary scouts out your spelling and
typing errors and helps you correct them. SELECT'S merge feature integrates your mail-
ing lists with SELECT documents to simplify billing, forms and advertising.

SELECT runs on any CP/M based hardware and you'll see it displayed on more new
hardware this year. Ask your dealer to sit you down in front of SELECT. Wave him away.
Type "T" — you've just enrolled in the common sense school of word processing.

SELECT... The Word Processing People '

•SELECT, SUPERSPELL and TEACH are trademarks of
Select Information Systems, Inc.

**CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research

SELECT INFORMATION SYSTEMS, INC.

919 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard, Kentfield, California, 94904 • (415) 459-4003

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 68

INTERFACE AGE 61

PRESENTING THE LARGEST
COLLECTION OF COMPUTER BOOKS

EVER ASSEMBLED

Introducing the New DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY Comprehensive Computer Book
Reference and Guide of computer science books. This one-of-a-kind guide will prove
to be the computer industry's finest reference tool with these spectacular features:

• The largest selection of books anywhere listed in 1
handy reference guide. We offer summaries of over 850
different titles from 32 major publishers.

• Cross-referencing of books by subject matter and
comprehension level as well as by author and title.

• Monthly updates. By updating our guide listing monthly,
we keep you informed about the latest computer science
books on the market.

• A complete one-stop shop. Since we stock most books
listed in the guide in-house, we are able to fulfill your book
orders directly from our offices.

• Annual Reference and Guide $4.95.

• Subscription to annual Reference and Guide, monthly
updates and quarterly indexes $45.00.

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!!

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62 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

COMPUTER

HOW-TO BOOKS

FROM

□ATA

DYNAMICS

TECHNOLOGY

Z-80 Microcomputer Handbook

William Barden, Jr.

The Zilog Model Z-80 represents a
microprocessor that is extremely sophis-
ticated and attractive to many computer
users. This handbook will provide the
current and prospective user with essen-
tial information on the technology of the
Z-80. Organized into three sections, the
first section concentrates on hardware,
the second on software, and the third on
microcomputers built around the Z-80.

Order No. 0-672-21 500 304 pages $11.95

Computer Graphics Primer

Mitchell Waite

Describes one of the most exciting
developments in the new home com-
puter products— computer graphics.
Computer graphics is the ability to
create complex drawings, plans, maps,
and schematics on the screen of a
television set.

Order No. 0-672-21 650-7 1 84 pages $1 4.95

BASIC Programming Primer

Mitchell Waite and Michael Pardee
This book will serve as an invaluable tool
to anyone who wants to learn BASIC, the
most popular computer language today.
Seven chapters explain the fundamentals
of BASIC, program control, organization
and a game program, additional func-
tions, and variations of BASIC.

Order No. 0-672-21 586-1 240 pages $11.95

Howard Sams Crash Course
in Microcomputers

Louis E. Frenzel, Jr.
Because of its content and unique form
of presentation, the reader is provided
with a solid background in micro-
computers quickly and effectively. This
course, arranged as a series of lessons
in a self-teaching format, features 14
units and 2 appendices that will teach
the average consumer as effectively as
the scientist with a PhD to deal with
complete microcomputer systems.

Order No. 0-672-21 634-5 264 pages $1 9.95

Order No. 0-672-21793-7

PASCAL Primer

David Fox and Mitchell Waite
If you are a computerist who is eager to
learn the capabilities of PASCAL, this
book is written for you. PASCAL is a
computer language with features and
capabilities only found among the most
high ranking languages. This book will
describe PASCAL program structure,
variables, procedures and many
other features.

206 pages
$16.95

Guidebook to Small Computers

William Barden, Jr.

If you are contemplating buying a small
computer system for your home, office,
or business, this book can save you time
and trouble. It contains all the informa-
tion necessary for a prospective buyer to
make an intelligent selection of a small
system. The first chapter is a general
introduction to small computers and
presents the fundamentals of hardware
and software. The remaining chapters
feature a survey of 21 currently popular
systems and are illustrated with photo-
graphs, drawings, and charts. A handy
directory of small computer manufac-
turers concludes the book.

Order No. 0-672-21 698-1 1 28 pages $6.95

DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY p o box 1217 ceritos ca 90701

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mmm

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ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE®

Meclical(PAS-3} $849/$40

Dental {PAS-3) $849/$40

ASYST DESIGN*
Prof Time Accounting. .$549/$40
General Subroutine. . .$269/$40
Application Utilities .... $439/$40
COMPLETE BUS. SYSTEMS'*

*Creator $199/$25

* Reporter $129/$20

*Both $299/$45

COMPUTER CONTROL*

•Fabs(B-tree) $119/$20

•UltraSortll $119/$25

COMPUTER PATHWAYS*

Pearl (level 1) $ 99/$25

Pearl (level 2) $299/$40

Pearl (level 3) $549/$50

DIGITAL RESEARCH*
CP/M 2.2

NorthStar $149/$25

TRS-80 Model II
(P+T) $159/$35

Micropolis .$169/$25

PL/1-80 $459/$35

BT-80 $179/$30

Mac $ 85/$15

Sid $ 65/$ 15

Z-Sid $ 90/$ 15

Tex $ 90/$ 1 5

DeSpool $ 50/$ 10

CB-80 $459/$35

CBasic-2 $ 98/$20

D.M.A,

Ascom. $149/$15

Formula $539/$45

GRAHAM-DORIAN*

General Ledger $729/$40

Acct Receivable $729/$40

Acct Payable $729/$40

Job Costing $729/$40

Payroll II $729/$40

Inventory II $729/$40

Payroll $493/$40

Inventory $493/$40

Cash Register $493/$40

Apartment Mgt $493/$40

MICRO-AP*

S-Basic 5269/$25

Selector IV $295/$35

Selector V $495/$50

MICRO DATA BASE SYSTEMS*

MDBS $269/$35

MDBS $795/$40

DRS or QRS or RTL. . .$269/$ 10
MDBSPKG Sl295/$60

MICROPRO*

WordStar S319/$60

Customization Notes ..$429/$na

Mail-Merge $109/$25

WordStar/ Mall-Merge. $419/$85

DataStar $249/$60

WordMaster $119/$40

SuperSort I $199/$40

Spell Star $175/$40

CalcStar $259/$na

MICROSOFT*

Basic-80. $298

Basic Compiler $329

Fortran-BO $349

Cobol-aO $629

*^M-Sort $175

^ Macro-80 $144

Edit-80 .$ 84

MuSimp/MuMath. . . . .$224

MuLisp-80 SI 74

MultiPlan -.Call

Manager Series Call

CP/M users:

specify disk systems and formats. Most formats available.
ORGANIC SOFTWARE®

TextWriter III $111/$25

DateBook II $269/$25

Milestone $269/$30

OSBORNE®

General Ledger $ 59/$20

Acct Rec/Acct Pay. . . .$ 59/$20

Payroll w/Cost $ 59/$20

All 3 $129/$60

All 3 -I- CBASIC-2 $199/$75

Enhanced Osborne.. . ,$269/$60

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General Ledger $399/$40

Acct Receivable $399/$40

Acct Payable $399/$40

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Inventory $399/$40

Surveyor $399/$40

Property Mgt $799/$40

CPA Client Write-up. . .$799/$40

P5 Version Add $129

MagiCalc $269/$25

Other less 10%

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*Ratfor $ 68/$na

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* Worksheet $159/$20

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Business Packages,
Call for Price
SORCIM*

SuperCalc $269/$na

Trans 86 $115

Act $157

TCS*

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All 4 $269/$99

Compiled each $ 99/$25

Inventory $ 99/$25

SUPERSOFT*

Diagnostic I $ 49/$20

Diagnostic II $ 84/$20

Disk Doctor , . .$ 84/$20

Forth (8060 or Z80). . . .$149/$30

Fortran $219/$30

Fortran w/Ratfor $289/535

C Compiler S174/$20

Star Edit $189/$30

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Scribble $149/$25

Both $249/550

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"C" Compiler $600/$30

Pascal (incl "C") $850/$45

"PASCAL"

Pascal/MT-I- Pkg $429/$30

Compiler $315

SpProg $175

Pascal/Z $349/$30

Pascal/UCSD 4.0 $670/$50

Pascal/M $355/$20

DATA BASE"

FMS-80 $649/$45

dBASEII $595/$50

Condor II $899/$50

"WORD PROCESSING"

WordSearch $179/$50

SpellGuard .$229/$25

VTS/80 $259/$65

MagicWand $289/$45

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Magic Spell $269/$25

Spell Binder $349/$45

Select $495/$na

The Word $ 65/$na

"OTHER GOODIES"

Micro Plan $419/$na

Plan 80 $269/$30

Target $189/$30

BSTAM $149/$na

BSTMS $149/$na

Tiny"C" $ 89/$50

Tiny "C" Compiler $229/$50

NRvadaCobol $179/$25

MicroStat $224/$25

Vedit $ 1 30/$ 1 5

MiniModel $449/$50

StatPak $449/$40

Micro B-h $229/$20

Raid $224/$35

String/80 $ 84/$20

String/80 (source). . . . $279/$na

ISIS CP/M Utility $199/$50

Lynx $199/$20

Supervyz $ 95/$na

i-'CP/M Power $ 75/$na

j.^ Mathe Magic $ 95/$na

INFO UNLIMITED'*'

Easy Writer $199

Datadex $249

EasyMailer $128

Other. less 15%

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Fortran $ 1 79

Cobol $499

Tasc. $139

MICROPRO*

Wordstar $269

MailMerge $ 99

Wordstar/MailMerge . .$349

SuperSort I $159

Spellstar $129

PERSONAL SOFTWARE/
VISICORP*

Visicalc3.3 $225

Desktop/Plan II $225

Visiterm $ 90

Visidex $225

Visiplot $180

Visitrend/Visiplot $300

Visifile $225

PEACHTREE®

G/L,A/R,A/P,Payor

Inventory (each) $224/$40

"OTHER GOODIES"

*VU #3R

(usew/Visicalc) $ 49

•Context Connector

(usew/Visicalc). . , .$ 99

Micro Courier $219

Super-Text II $127

Data Factory . $134

DB Master $ 1 84

IBM PC SOFTWARE

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Call for Price

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i^ CBASIC 86 $300/$na

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i^ Pascal UCSD 86 $700/$na

^ Macro 86 $259/$na

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Outside Continental U.S.— add $10 plus Air Parcel Post • Add $3.50 postage and handling per each item
• California residents add 6% sales tax • Allow 2 weeks on checks. C.O.D. $3.00 extra • Pricessubject to change
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ARTICLES
WANTED

INTERFACE AGE is seeking articles
pertaining to full-capability business
micros for the November issue. Sys-
tems in the over $10,000 price range
will be compared in an in-depth article.
Additional articles should discuss both
hardware and software aspects of
multiuser systems and the more ad-
vanced micro systems on the market.
Articles intended for this issue should
be received no later than July 1 for
consideration.

Other article topics being solicited
include medical applications, word
processing, peripherals and inter-
facing products, tutorials, computer
graphics, communications and
networking, micros in education, and
the future of computers. Special
emphasis is placed on business
systems and applications.

Program listings should be no more
than 60 characters wide, with no
wrap-around lines. Unlined paper
and a new ribbon should be used.
Sample runs should be included. In
the article text, variables should be
described. The system utilized in
composing the program should be
detailed — operating systems,
language type and version, and ahy
necessary peripherals.

Manuscripts should be typed or
printed out double-spaced with one-
inch margins. Minimum text length is
8 pages, whether or not the article is
accompanied by a program listing. A
brief synopsis of the article should
preface the manuscript. Photos
should be numbered and each
should have a caption. Authors are
requested to submit a statement of
background and expertise.

The publisher assumes no res-
ponsibility for artwork, photos or
manuscripts. No acknowledgment is
made unless the submission is
accompanied by a large, stamped
return envelope. A minimum of six
weeks should be allowed for a
response; it is requested that authors
do not phone for information about
submittals. The submittals should be
addressed to: Editorial Dept., Inter-
face Age, 16704 Marquardt Ave.,
Cerritos, CA 90701.

64 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 27

JUNE 1982

TEK

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THE PERFORMANCE/
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2213 PERFORMANCE
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Sensitivity: Scale factors
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CXJMMfTTED TO EXCELLENCE

TEN STEPS
TO TAKE
BEFORE YOU

BUY A
COMPUTER

by Dona Z. Meilach

You can no longer resist. There must be something
to all this talk about computers. Friends rave about them;
others praise their efficiency and time-saving features
in business applications. The prices have been coming
down, the technology improving. It's time to investigate.
But where do you start?

A session with a computer salesperson could be one
of the most intimidating and sobering experiences of your
life. Those with no scientific or engineering background
lack a frame of reference for computer technology.

Compare buying a computer with purchasing a car.
You know why you want a car and what it will do for you.
You may not know exactly how the engine functions, but
you know what to expect when you turn the key in the
ignition and step on the gas. From past experiencie, your
decisions may be based on features and price.

No so with a computer. You probably don't know how
to turn one on and off, may have only a vague idea of
what it can do for you, and that idea could be erroneous.

I was recently in a library where six computer terminals
were dark and the librarians were logging books in and
out by hand. The head librarian was taking the situation
philosophically and stoically. A way of life with computers?
It didn't have to be. That library was sold a system that
was being phased out before it was installed, but no one
told the librarians. They had listened to someone who
wanted to dump his stock.

Before you make a purchase, take time to gather infor-
mation. While you are shopping, be wary and ask for info-
rmation from those people who may have bought
computers for their homes or offices. Then, when you
face a sales person, you wilt be forewarned and forearmed.
You will know what questions to ask, even if
you don't immediately understand the answers,

Step 1. Ask yourself: Why do I want a
computer? What do I want it to do?

Don't feel bad if you don't
know. A computer's potential
can be unfathomable. Visit
the public library and consult

--J

the current books that define
computers and tell you the
difference between hardware
and software. But avoid the
technical books at this point;
you want to know what a computer
basically is, how it works, what com-
ponents it requires and what it can do
for you.

After you've read a little, you'll realize that
a computer can be used for business applica-
tions such as bookkeeping and inventory; for word pro-
cessing; for stock reports; to learn a language; to balance
a checkbook; to educate children; to educate yourself ;
for playing games; to prepare income tax returns; to
pursue an interest such as art or music, or simply as a
means to help you understand emerging technology.
Step 2. There are many computer-oriented newspapers,

newsletters and magazines available by subscrip-
tion or at your library, computer stores and
some newsstands.

Look at the ads and read the unfamiliar words.
Some words and terms will repeat themselves; micro-
processor, byte, bit, disk, disk drive, CP/M, RAM, ROM,
Z-80, 8080 and CBasic. Jot them down and look them
up in a computer book glossary or a computer dictionary.
You'll begin to understand how amounts of memory
storage affect output and you'll learn what 16K, 32K,
48K and 64K mean.

Step 3, Compile names of local distributors and the
systems they sell, such as: Digital, Cado, Lanier,
Wang, Apple, Radio Shack, IBM, Xerox, Zenith, Zobex
and others. Compare advertisers in the publications
with those who may have distributors in your area.
Some of the same ads appear in the popular news
magazines and business publications as well as in
computer magazines.

How do you know who has what in your area? Check
the classified listings in the phone book under both
"computer" and "data processing." Look for ads in
the business pages of newspapers in cities that can
support such companies. (People in small towns may
have a limited choice.) Many components can be
purchased by mail order, but if a component doesn't
work, a neophyte will not recognize where a problem lies,
resulting In hours of frustration and lost time. On-going
support and maintenance must be considered.

Many advertisers supply toll free phone numbers or
reader service cards inserted in publications. Request
information. As it arrives, sort it and start a loosely
divided file; i.e.: systems, terminals, printers and
software. As the file becomes larger, categories will
emerge and you will be able to specifically rearrange
your information. Before long, you will become familiar
with components and basic features, and be in a position
to compare one against another.

Step 4. Visit local showrooms and dealers for hands-
on demonstrations and to discuss your needs. Explain
what you think you want and be open to suggestions.

There's the

danger of

familiarizing

yourself with

one system and

not considering

others

For example, if you know you want a word processing
machine, let the salesmen suggest the best programs.
The time to decide what program you want to run is
before you decide on a computer and peripherals. Some
computers will not have adequate memory storage for
long, sophisticated programs. (Example: one major word
processing program requires 48K bytes of disk space
to run, without additional space for user input.) If you
bought a computer that held only 32K memory storage,
you would not be able to use that specific program.)

Avoid letting anyone talk you into any system that
may prove to be less than you will need, and don't be
surprised if salespeople are not as helpful as you would
like. Many are new to the technology and may not be as
familiar as you would expect them to be about what
they are selling. By this time, you'll have an elementary
knowledge of the terms and products, some idea of
what to ask and what some of the answers might be. If
not, keep asking questions and don't be satisfied with
vague answers. If a salesperson makes you feel foolish,
or is impatient with you, move on to the next distributor.
Caution: This is a period of possible discouragement.
You may be tempted to buy whatever there is because
of the overwhelming choice and your unfamiliarity with
the technology. Don't.

You are now to the point where you can use your
automobile purchasing background and apply it to
computers. As with cars, there are no standards.
Components from one computer system will not inter-
face with another. Once you're locked into a system,
you'll have to stick with it. You may attempt several
connections, to interface one with another, but the
resulting costs may not be worth the effort.

Go back to the books and the ads until you are sure
you understand how much memory a system stores,
what software your purposes require, the size and type
of disks and exactly what the system will support.

Step 5. Before you make any decision about the
system you may think you need, or about the dealer

68 INTERFACE AGE

you will buy it from, consult your nearest computer
society or users' group. A computer society is usually
made up of people who use a variety of systems for any
number of purposes. You can learn who is using what.
Most people are willing and anxious to explain their
systems to potential buyers. How do you find a society?
Ask the dealers about such groups in your area and
watch computer store bulletin boards for meeting
notices. Your business associates and friends who run
computers may know about them.

Users' groups and special interest groups usually
exist as subgroups within a society to exchange and
disseminate information. There may be CP/M, Apple,
TRS-80, business applications or word processing
users' groups. Members are committed to one system
and help one another by sharing their experiences.

Societies and users' groups may also present work-
shops, demonstrations and discussions about the latest
equipment. They may have speakers who represent
the equipment in which you may be interested. When
others ask questions, you will learn.

Especially important are users who have gone your
route. They have discovered pitfalls, as well as high-
spots, and are anxious to reveal them. They will also
steer you away from companies that do not support or
service a unit once it is out of the store. A reputation in
a computer society can make or break a company.

Step 6. Enroll in an adult education computer class, if
available. Colleges throught the country have computer
centers; however, enrollment as a credit student may
be necessary to learn the ins and outs. But the same
colleges, if they offer a business major, may have a
one- or two-day weekend seminar where you can work
with more than one system. Beware of schools with
limited budgets; they may lack varied equipment.
There's the danger of familiarizing yourself with one
system and becoming so comfortable with it that you
won't consider others. With this in mind, a course can
offer invaluable insight into how computers work.

Step 7. You are now in a position to intelligently and
realistically re-evaluate your needs. Along the way, you
will have acquired some ideas about the sizes of
systems and their costs. Develop a comparison chart
for the systems you have seen. List the hardware
components along the side. Establish headings arranged
by manufacturers, distributors, number of disk drives,
size, amount of memory storage, upgradable (if you can
move from a single to a double density or hard disk), kind
of terminal (these should be charted individually), prices,
guarantees and what is covered. Log in the support
offered and service contract factors, if applicable. Do
the same thing for a printer or other peripherals you
may be considering.

With your charts, you can compare differences and
proceed to ask more questions of experienced people
in the users' groups. Why is one system recommended?
Or why not?

If you still aren't sure and your budget allows It, there
are computer consultants. They will, for a fee, discuss
your needs with you and suggest what they think is the
best system. A competent consultant (finding one can
be another research project) is a wise expense for a
small or large business that may require interaction
from multiple sources and specially written programs.

Step 8. When you have enough organized information,
return to the computer stores or make appointments

JUNE 1982

with distributors for demonstrations. Evaluations may
be required on your business site. When the potentials
of the equipment are discussed, you will be able to
speak the salesperson's language. You should ask for
demonstrations of specific software you will be using.
But dealers often do not have or do not know about all
available software. You may have to find a software
dealer and arrange for an appointment. This is one of
your wisest moves at this time. Working through a
software program can be a time-consuming exercise in
frustration. Manuals are notoriously hard to follow,
especially for a novice. You'll save time when introduced
to the vagaries of a program by someone who has a
working knowledge of its commands and how to use
them. Often software must be configured to your
specific unit before it will work.

It is also important to become familiar, through a
class offered either by the dealer or an outside source,
with the essential commands of the operating system
built into your unit. Disks have to be copied, files have
to be established. It can be overwhelming unless
you're prepared for it.

Step 9. When you are on the brink of a decision, go
slowly. There's a big cost factor. Decide, before you
buy, on the best financial arrangement for your invest-
ment. Will you be better off with timesharing, with
leasing, or by purchasing equipment outright? Check
with your accountant before you make your decision.

An invaluable aspect of users' groups is that you can
discuss costs and dealers' reputations with people
who have already purchased a system, A society
membership may also entitle you to a discount.

Price is where the automobile analogy most applies.
You will get an idea of how you may be able to compar-
ison shop and negotiate, depending upon the system
and the competition in your area. But you must be
cautious: service and support are an essential aspect
of overall costs. How long is the guarantee or warranty?
What does it cover? Will the dealer send a repairman to
you? Will you have to bring the equipment to the
dealer? Size, of course, is a factor. If a part of your
system breaks down, how long will it be down? Are loan
units available?

It is also wise to talk with someone from the service
department. Testimonials from satisfied users should
be solicited, if possible. Ask the salesman for names.
Talk to whoever would be most likely to give you an
unbiased opinion.

Step 10. Carefully assess the limitations of your
home or office and the area in which you plan to place
the machine. Consider those who will be working with
the computer— don't subject them to too much glare.
Consider the system itself; guard it from high tem-
peratures and too much moisture. Computers, like
other employees, work best when their environments
are pleasant.

Perhaps one bonus step should be added: patience.
The research outline above will require two-to-four
months, depending upon the time you can devote to it.
That alone is a test of whether you will be successful
with your system. Learning to use a computer and
learning how the software works is an on-going exercise
in patience, determination and perseverance. But the
rewards are plentiful. D

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P.O. BOX 233, Greenvale, New York 11548

076-869-8537

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 88

INTERFACE AGE 69

MICRO IDIOMS

A Look at
Three Language Options

There are more than 200 high level programming languages and a staggering array of hybrid dialects available
today. The criteria for language selection in a business climate must be determined by the intended application.
Only by composing a comprehensive checklist of vocational requirements can language choice coincide with a
particular class of problems.

For example, Fortran might provide superior mathematical qualities, but yield inadequate character
manipulation for a specialized inventory control situation, Fortran is an acronym for Formula Translation, and
was the first procedure-oriented tongue to achieve popularity.

PL/1 is an acronym for Programming Language One. PL/1-80 is a hybrid version of PL/1 developed for
microcomputer application. Also procedure-oriented, its concise statements are similar to those of Fortran.
Both Fortran and PL/1-80 are computer-independent. Either can be run on any microcomputer with the
appropriate translator. This minimizes the need for comprehensive understanding of the machine and language
tool— encouraging concentration on the problem.

Forth was originally cultivated for process control and wields a comparatively unique structure. Whereas
Fortran and PL/1 produce machine code for direct execution by the CPU, Forth does not. Its threaded code
must be interpreted, but can execute a program considerably faster than Basic. Technically, Forth combines
post-fix notation with a definitional structure— permitting potential for individual customization.

Proponents of each of these three languages claim specific attributes in business application. Generally,
Fortran excels in the computation-intensive programs demanded by engineering and science. PL/1 performs
well in clerical tasks— particularly the grouping of records and files. Forth acts most favorably in situations
requiring evaluations. All three are better suited to those with some programming experience.

The trio of articles that follow are designed to provide a more intimate exposure to these important
programming vernaculars. ^DWP

Fortran

by Robert R. Mitchell

The computer language field
is crowded. Variations of Fortran,
Cobol, ALGOL, PL/I, Basic,
Pascal, Forth, PILOT, C language
and others are readily available
from many vendors. How does a
school system decide which to
teach? How does a hardware
vendor decide which to offer?
How does a system designer
decide which to use? Contempo-
rary users are often bound to the
manufacturer's choice. On most
microcomputers, that choice is
usually between Basic, Pascal,
and Cobol. Fortran, an older
* 'tongue," is seldom a focal point.

Why not Fortran?

Fortran is not an interpretive
language. It requires compilation
from source to machine language
code. Linkage with libraries of
specialized machine language
routines to handle its many
functions is also essential.
Fortran does not give the
immediate feedback desired for
program development. It lacks
the convenience of such ex-
pected input/output tools as
addressable screens, prompting
lines and string characters in
fundamental versions.

Continued on page 140

PL/1-80

by Gary Kildall

Since its introduction on main-
frame computers some 20 years
ago, and more recently on mini-
computers, the PL/1 language
has been popular, primarily with
sophisticated programmers.

PL/1 is useful because it has
many of the best elements of
early languages such as ALGOL,
Fortran and Cobol. It has, for
example, incorporated such com-
mercial/business processing fea-
tures as structures, decimal
arithmetic, file processing and
picture formats from Cobol.

PL/1 has its limitations, though.
Redundant language constructs,
little-used facilities and error-
prone statement forms make
PL/1 large, unwieldy and difficult
to implement for less exper-
ienced programmers.

With the development in 1 976
of ANSI Subset G PL/1, the
General Purpose Subset, many
of the drawbacks of full PL/1
were eliminated. Almost imme-
diately. Subset G achieved wide-
spread acceptance in the mini-
computer world with implementa-
tions by Data General, DEC,
Prime and Wang. With the devel-
opment of the Subset G-based
PL/1-80 by Digital Research

Continued on page 144

Forth

by Luigi Bisceglia

:X? X @ 1270+ IFOX ! 1 S
-h! ENDIF;

No, this isn't a shouting match
between angry comic strip char-
acters. It is a Forth language sub-
routine taken from the MMS-
FORTH Newsletter (volume 1,
#5). Though it may look incompre-
hensible, the internal structure is
quite logical. In Basic, it would
read: IF X + 1270 THEN X = 0:
S = S + 1.

How does Forth stack up among
other computer language choices?
It is structured, interactive, flex-
ible, extensible, fast and friendly. It
contains the best of Pascal, Basic
and assembler. Let's examine the
basic structure of Forth, then take
a look at some of its pros and cons.

Writing Forth has nearly the
effect of writing assembler code
with a high level, interactive
language. Processing converses
through a last-in-first-out stack
using reverse Polish notation
(RPN) rather than being dispersed
through variables. In RPN the
operators follow the operands.
The algebraically formatted line (2
* (5 -h 4 - 3)) - 1 could be
written as12345-h*- with
Forth's RPN. The solution could
be visualized on a stack, as shown

Continued on page 150

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 71

Business Software Forum

SELECTING AN ACCOUNTS
PAYABLE/RECEIVABLE PACKAGE

What makes up a good accounts receivable or
accounts payable package? The diverse arena of
requirements and many different ways in which
programmers and businessmen approach these needs
Implies that there Is no "best" program.

Elements that enter Into the selection process Include
the limitations of a machine, the software and the
attendant costs Involved. All programs run better If writ-
ten In machine code. But who will commit the amount
of time and the prohibitive expense necessary to write
machine language code for all 9,000 different combina-
tions of micros and peripherals on the market? Who
would pay the software expense for the marginal gains
In speed and processing power? The selection of
appropriate software becomes a matter of making
Intelligent compromises.

Let's raise the curtain on these concessions by

determining some elementary functions. Exactly what
Is It that accounts payable/receivable programs are
supposed to do? From a systems design standpoint,
these are simple applications. Essentially, each has the
following steps:

• create master files that contain Information about
customers and vendors.

• record Information about sales or purchases as they
occur (journalize them)

• associate journalized data with appropriate master
files (Index them)

• manipulate data— offset sales and cash receipts,
purchases and cash payments, reorganize the data

• prepare reports that summarize the data, either by
master file account, by date, or In some other
fashion, such as in the form of a check-writer program

by Carl Heintz, CPA

Receivables or payables programs do essentially
the same things with data, from a conceptual standpoint,
and so are comparable for analysis. From an accountant's
point of view, the systems are polar opposites, but
from an analyst's standpoint, they are mirror images of
each other.

It would be nice to be able to create the ultimate
shopping list for software, but such a task is impossible.
The fundamental choice of a system is contingent upon
the user's desires and requirements. Before any software
can be chosen, the user should evaluate his accounting
system. Following are areas of primary consideration.

What is the current environment? Does the user have
a computerized system, is a service bureau doing the
work, or is a manual system in place?

What does the system do? A flowchart of the existing
system can help to illustrate the requirements of any

new system.

What is the information provided by the existing
system? A list of reports should be created, especially
in a manual system, for some information may be informal
in nature (verbal or written on little sheets of paper from
adding machine runs). What are the strong and weak
points of the existing system? Why is it that a new
system is necessary? What are the attributes required
of the new system? Note that we said required as
opposed to desired. Many users go overboard when
creating wish lists for their micro systems.

These issues must be considered long before
deciding on any particular piece of software. Without
requirements, there can be no objective decision-making.
The next step should be a comparative look at the
features of the available software on the market, in order
to find the packages most suited to your applications.
While the accompanying charts represent only a sample
—a dozen packages— they provide a valid starting point
for the selection process. More quality payable/receivable
packages will be listed in later updates to this series.

There are a number of programs in circulation— some
innovative, some re-warmed versions of big-machine
code. They all share some characteristics that should
be scrutinizecf carefully.

The first consideration is the capacity. Exactly how
many customers and transactions can be accommodated?
The most probable determinant of this factor will be the
hardware— and the disk drives in particular. Don't believe
anyone who says the system he sells has unlimited
capacity— especially if your micro has only two 1 0OK-byte
disk drives.

Look for the information maintained by the system.
What kind of information is in the master file for vendors
and customers? Looking at the file layouts can sometimes
give a good clue as to what the system capabilities are.
For example, some systems allow the user to create
different classes of customers and store individual credit
information. Some systems include year-to-date pur-
chases and payments. Others even have a field for con-
tact person, which aids in collection efforts in receivables.

One area particularly worthy of evaluation is audit
trails. The importance of this hard-copy evidence cannot
be overstressed— especially for a company that must
supply a certified audit. A transaction listing should be
automatically prepared after the information is fed.

System speed can be of primary importance in a
production environment. Again, it is sometimes impossible
to judge a system in anything but the user's situation.
The differences in speed between disk drive units are
amazing, and the size of a file can significantly affect
a system's access speed. In other words, when the
dealer demos the system using four or five sample
records, it will probably run faster than it will after being
loaded down with 200 or so accounts.

Agings produced are

sometimes deceiving.

Aging should be based

upon invoice date

Hardware has recently taken another giant leap ahead
of software with the introduction of multi-user systems.
This poses a significant problem when selecting software,
because most software is not really designed for multiple
users. Imagine, for example, accessing the same file at
nearly the same time to do different things— such as
simultaneously posting sales and cash receipts. One
user gets a record and posts sales to the record, while
a split second later another user accesses the file and
updates it for cash received. We then have two copies
of the same record in memory— one that has a sale
posted to it and one that has a cash receipt. When the
records are returned, which one goes back into the file?
Some systems have a "file busy" protocol, which
prevents this sort of thing, except that it will most
probably halt or lock out the second user until the first
user finishes with the file. So we are back to single-user
status, since both users needed the same file at the
same time.

Reports and their layouts are critically important in
designing an effective system. There are many alter-
natives available— the user should look for reports that
are workable and informative. One of the most impor-
tant elements in the reporting information are summaries
from which accounting entries are prepared. Even in so-
called integrated systems, the need for audit trails
necessitates preparations and accounting summaries.

These summaries should contain all information
necessary to make proper account entries. It is
frustrating to add long columns of figures because a
programmer forgot to include an important summary
number. For accounts receivable, it is vital to have
summaries by types of sales. Many companies have
several different sales categories, and this information
must be accurately captured. In systems including an
order entry sequence, the information should be avail-
able before the receivables module gets it. Write-offs,
credit memos and adjustments to receivables should be
tallied separately from cash receipts so appropriate
entries can be made.

The accounts payable system will generally require
more detailed record keeping functions. The system
should have the ability to allow checks to be coded to
multiple accounts (i.e. for situations wherein one check
pays a bill covering many different accounts). Ideally,
a general ledger print-out indicates which checks have
been charged to which accounts. There should also be
summaries showing the total dollar amount charged to
each account with a summary total. Even if the system
updates the GL automatically, some hard-copy summary
should be prepared.

For accounts payable, job costing is often important.
A small manufacturer needs to assess accumulated

74 INTERFACE AGE

costs by job. Expenses might be coded to an inventory
account for financial statements purposes; the manager
must know how much is coded to each job, and very
often needs a cost detail by job. The accounts payable
system in such a situation should have the capacity to
accept job codes as well as account numbers. Reports
should be generated either by job number or by account
number. For a moment, consider what the job report
should show. It really is irrelevant to have the ending
balance of unpaid invoices classified by accounts or
jobs. The ending balance represents only those invoices
that remain unpaid. The accountant wants to know the
total of all invoices that were charged to the job that
period— that means all invoices entered into the system
and charged to the job. Thus, the report should be based
upon inputs into the system and not just the accounts
payable balance. The system should summarize what
was entered into it. Verify that the total charged to
accounts or jobs equals the total of all amounts entered
into the system.

Agings produced are sometimes deceiving. Aging
should be based upon invoice date. In some cases, the
last transaction date is used. The amounts should be
broken down by period— a simplistic system dumps all
activity into one column on the aging schedule. Be wary
of the system that applies a partial payment against an
old balance, then classifies the remaining old balance
as current (apparently assigning the new transaction
date to the old balance). Many users will want to specify
aging classes, but few systems allow for this.

Receivables collection must frequently be tied into
commission accounting, since some companies com-
pensate salesmen when the company gets paid. Don't
overlook that feature if your application warrants it.

Finance charges are another area wherein systems
vary. It is nice to be able to uniformly compute and assign
finance charges— many systems allow this to be done
with some degree of sophistication.

This discussion should serve as a foundation for
intelligent selection of the appropriate accounts payable
or accounts receivable program for your application.
Keep in mind the infinite variety of products sold, and
consider involving your company's CPA in the final
selection process.

The information in the accompanying charts was
compiled from data submitted by software vendors. While
every attempt has been made to ensure accuracy, there
may be differences in the interpretation of questions,
and certain software may have features not listed here.
The numbered notes correspond to the column headings
of each respective chart. O

Charts foilow

JUNE 1982

Which personal computer
can make yon better
at what you do best?

*^ ''■^x;^-'%,i.^,S

PERSONAL

^^^;iS™^^N^^^

IBM PC Apple 111

HP-87

MAXIMUM
I MEMORY

, SOFTWARE
, SELECTIONS

256 K

Word Processing

544 K
256 K ^

lvisiCalc®PLUS
IVlsiCalc® l)^Io"^" "' Data ^,^^^

i„,„.,.«^.n. te^^;:^ g^o^r"''-

Business presentations

[Graphics l|tatistics (3 pk^.) ]

Financial
Decisions

Linear . ^
Programming

Math
AC Circuit
Analysis

Waveform
' Analysis
,r'w/,v.-..uimv ,CP/M* Library
1CP/M®86 \^'^"^\':]T:L 1 series 80 Users-

Library

hs^^-

CP/M® Libraiy
Apple 11 Library

easeofuse

Programmable
SoffKeys
Error Messages

Built-in Disc
Operating System j

BuiVt-in Screen
Grapl^lcs

, RELIABILITY
i Self Diagnostics

Operating
1 Temperature

Yes
61-90°F

107

Yes

No figures
available

Yes
32-133°F

For you, choosing a personal computer means making
an intelligent decision.

And isn't that what you do best?

. The first step in your
"f MBM^^ decision-making process is
^v^ ^/^^^'K vLdA /)^ analysis. You look at all the
'10 ^^S; H^^ ^ numbers, and all the facts,
X^\}B^ ^^^ before you leap. So you dorft

want a computer that's going
to run short on memory. Not when you can have
the HP-87 and a memory that expands to over half
a million bytes.

Hewlett-Packard will make sure
you don't run short on analytical
software, either For example, our
VisiCalc® PLUS will let you turn up
to 16,000 cells of data into bar graphs,
pie charts or whatever you need to present your
results graphically. And our CP/M® module gives you
access to the expanding world of CP/M software.

We call it HP-Easy. Turn on the
HP-87, and it's ready to go. The
ROM-based operating system
puts our built-in, enhanced BASIC
to work for you. Instantly. The
HP-87 has built-in commands and
editing keys that eliminate complicated keystroke
sequences. Whether you're generating a complex
graph, writing a program or correcting errors.

And interfacing peripherals is as easy as putting
a plug into a socket. That's the kind of craftsmanship
that's putting all our Series 80 computers on the
map. We're building power, friendliness and reliability
into every one of them. From our portable partner,
the HP-85, to the high-powered HP-87

The most intelligent thing to do now? Get your hands
on an HP-87 And then on the competition. You won't
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want to get better and better at what you do best.

For the HP dealer nearest you, call TOLL FREE
800/547-3400 or in Oregon, Alaska and Hawaii

call 503/758-1010. Foraddi-
tional product information,
write Hewlett-Packard,
Dept. 284C, Corvallis,
OR 97330.

fofe^-''

612/02

Introducing the new HP-87.
It's ¥ery good at what yon do.

C4S

HEWLETT
PACKARD

VisiCalc* is a registered trademark of VisiCorp— Personal Software. CP/M® is a registered trademark of Digital Research, Inc.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 38

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JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 79

ANNOUNCING ANOTHER NEW IDEA

FROM TELEVIDEO: " ^

THE SMART 910 PLUS.

Our new ideas have a way of sweep-
ing the market. In just a few years,
Tele Video has come from nowhere
to become the No. 1 independent
in CRT terminals. The reason: we offer
exceptional quality reliability and
usability at a price no one can beat.
(In fact, we use the same high
quality modules, from keyboards to
monitors, throughout the entire line.)

The smart 910 Plus Block Mode
terminal is our latest innovation. For
the money, you'll find nothing that
outperforms it. For example, simply
by touching a key you can activate
its gated printer port.

Another point: since service is a

major concern, we have ours handled
nationwide by one of the best:
General Electrics Instrumentation
and Communication Equipment
Service Centers. Right now, we have
the new 910 Plus ready for immediate
delivery To order or have questions
answered call 800-538-8725
(toll-free outside California.) Since
it's priced at just $699 per unit,
your decision should be very easy

TeleVideo Systems, Inc.

1170 Morse Avenue, Sunnyvale, CA 94086

800-538-8725 (toll-free outside Cdhfornid)
CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 77

910 Plus Features

• Block mode

• Of f-line editing

• 10 programmed function codes

• Changeable codes

• Protected fields

• 5 screen attributes (blink, blank,
reverse, underline, half intensity)

• 15 baud rates (50b to 19.2Kb)

• Gated printer port

• Typev/riter-style keyboard

• Typewriter tabs

• Erase to end line

• Erase to end of page

• Self-test

• Monitor mode

• 4 strappable languages

CALIFORNIA Santa Ana 714/557-6095; Sunnyvale 408/745-7760 • GEORGIA Atlanta 404/255-9338 • TEXAS Dallas 214/980-9978 • ILLINOIS Chicago Area 312/351-9350
MASSACHUSETTS Boston 617/668-6891 • NEW YORK/NEW JERSEY 201/267-8805 • UNITED KINGDOM West End Surrey 44-9905-6464

Software Review

DSS/F:

Paving the Way for
Sophisticated Software

by Robert Moskowitz

Microcomputers are maturing rapidly, and one of the
most vibrant signs of this development is the release of
a program with the features of Decision Support System/
Finance (DDS), by Addison-Wesley, Reading, MA.

For those who learned computing via desktop units,
DSS/F will dispel many limitations thought to be un-
avoidable. If your programming education was obtained
on a larger system, then transferred to a micro, this
program will restore features that were sacrificed in
the transition.

DSS/F was conceived and runs more like a mainframe
timesharing modeling plan than a system designed for
the Apple. In return for slightly extended calculation
times and a multi-step process to build and run a model,
this program provides: much greater capacity, a wider
selection of built-in formulas, on-screen prompting
capabilities and automatic execution of pre-programmed
instructions.

DSS/F requires a 48K-byte Apple II with two drives
and Pascal system installed. You can add a third drive
or (with extra-cost options) use the program with any
hard disk system. To operate the program, you get
Pascal running, then key-in X and specify DSS:F. The
program will not engage unless a key in the shape of a
typical remote control unit from a slide projector has
been installed. This unit has a special plug to fit the
Apple's game port. It serves as both protection against
unauthorized copying and a control for on-screen slide-
shows or graphic output.

Earlier versions of DSS/F were limited to 1919 cells
per model. (A cell is the intersection of a row and a
column in the model matrix.) Since most complex models
needed more room, DSS/F provides consolidation
controls to assimilate the results of several separate
financial models into a single report. Newer virtual
memory techniques applied to recent DSS/F updates
allow more than 32,000 cells per model with rapid
access to and from disk storage under automatic pro-
gram control. This memory expansion potential makes
the program capable of working with considerably
larger models.

There are three basic types of files the program
runs: LOGIC files, DATA files, and GEN files. Other
files used for special functions, include JOB files,

JUNE 1982

worksheet files, report files and results files. Most of
these are prepared using the TEXT EDITOR system.

This line-oriented editor provides familiar insert,
delete, modify and append functions. It also enables
automatic capabilities for renumbering, save and back-
up, search and replace, line movement and duplication
and so forth. The editor has a limit of 510 lines, but
provides for linking several files if more space is re-
quired. While file preparation can be tedious, the
computer will relieve some anxiety by preparing some
special function files on command.

LOGIC files give the computer instructions on display
and manipulation of data to be used later. Essentially,
they provide the structure, relationships, and formulas
that comprise the financial model. The LOGIC file
format necessitates specification of the row number
where data will be found, then the operation to be
performed on that data. The LOGIC file contains the
labels, pointers and formulas that define the size, shape
and function of a particular model.

In most cases, the LOGIC file is the first to be pre-
pared. Unlike the approach warranted by spreadsheet
systems, DSS/F encourages the user to design the
model with pencil and paper before attacking the key-
board. One needs to consider the different types of
DATA to be applied, the calculations required, the
constants and variables, and (particularly) the internal
references involved. These references guide the
computer to the results of one calculation it will ulti-
mately use as input for another.

Before one can run the model specified by the newly
keyed-in LOGIC file, the file itself must be compiled.
This can consume 3-5 minutes— a delay that is avoided
through the instant recalculation programs. If bugs
emerge in the model or the decision is made to modify
the LOGIC, it will be necessary to return to the editor,
reload the original LOGIC text file, make revisions and
re-compile it before running the modified model. How-
ever, after constructing a working model, the same
Logic can be used to process as many different sets of
DATA as desired.

DATA files contain the raw information on which the
model operates. The DATA file format requests a row
number, then whatever values to be placed in each
defined column. One can key-in the rows in any order
because the row numbers are automatically referenced
by the Logic file. Row numbers must be integers while

INTERFACE AGE 81

values must be decimals. Here there is a lot of potential
for human error until this convention becomes habit.

If the LOGIC file is run on a null DATA file— or without
any DATA file loaded— you can zero results in your model.

The data can be kept straight by utilizing paper work-
sheets to pre-organize the information. One primary
attribute of the program is its ability to generate printed
worksheets for this purpose.

To produce a worksheet, start with the tested and
compiled LOGIC file used for model computations. By
running the report generator on this LOGIC, the com-
puter analyzes the logic and determines the data
required. This information is stored automatically in a
special worksheet file on the disk. When this file is
printed, DSS/F yields a functional worksheet with
labels, entry spaces and row numbers set up to corres-
pond to the model. DSS/F will automatically add special
prompts to the worksheet for the data needed to
perform functions called for in the LOGIC, such as
depreciation or loan calculations.

Completed worksheet is provided

The printed worksheet can be sent as a request for
information to someone who knows nothing about
computers or computer modeling. Because the work-
sheet is geared to your model, it is a simple job to key
in all the data— with all the right row numbers— by
following a completed worksheet.

Report Format Files specify the portions of the
model to print, and the specific page format of that
printout. Many Report Format files can produce a
variety of reports from the same DATA and LOGIC
files.

For example, one can specify any title for any column
in the Report. In addition, report format files can include
specifications for length of form, page number, printing
negative numbers in brackets and special treatment of
decimals. Formatting options encompass titles and
headings, underlining certain numbers, using data and
explanations together and column arrangements. DSS/F
also provides a single command to flip the matrix 90 °—
rows become columns and vice versa.

Other commands in a report file facilitate prompting
for a value at run time, pausing to accept keyboard
input, then printing the value— such as the customer or
invoice number where appropriate.

If one wishes to abstain from a full-scale report format
file, output can be obtained via the Quick and Dirty
reporting capability. (This is a legitimate name, and it
aptly describes the process.) While report format files
allow an extensive range of elaborate reporting. Quick
and Dirty reports come in a standard, inflexible format.
You can generate one with the single command: PRINT.
These reports provide rapid access to screen display
or printouts of the calculated results of the model
without considering elaborate formatting or titling
possibilities.

JOB files are pre-programmed sets of instructions
encouraging automatic computer control of operations
without need for human intervention or keyboard input.

Imagine a complex DSS/F model that carries monthly
business performance figures and calculates a variety
of financial figures, including net profit. By using various
DSS/F commands, any portion of the rows ^nd columns
of the model can be extracted and separate results

82 INTERFACE AGE

calculated for each product line, office location or
other subdivision. Nothing prevents one from performing
this manually every month, but with JOB file capability,
the commands can be saved to disk. Later, that JOB
file can be executed with a few keystrokes. The com-
puter will supply its own commands, perform the
calculations, and obtain the results automatically. With
the proper use of JOB files, virtually any repetitive task
can be pre-set to operate on autopilot.

A GEN file is another type prepared with the editor
and executed later. A GEN file harbors prompts for the
values of up to 20 variables, and additional commands
to run, display or print results of the model. For example,
using a GEN file, one can set up DSS/F to display on-
screen prompts for today's sales figures and manipulate
those values within a financial model and produce a
complete report.

GEN commands include: ADD and SUBTRACT— for
math operation, GET— for loading from disk, WRITE—
for saving to disk, ASK— a prompt for input, JOB— for
accessing a JOB file, and WHEN— for logical testing.

Because GEN files can engage JOB files, obtain
inputs and control outputs— including disk, printer and
screen displays— they can operate the computer on
automatic just as effectively as if someone were at the
keyboard. GEN files have the capability to display menu
screens of various functions, to accept input selecting
a menu option, and on that basis access the appro-
priate pre-written JOB file to accomplish virtually any
operation anticipated. This capability means the program
can be pre-set to make sophisticated functions available
to relatively naive and untrained users.

By now, it should be apparent that DSS/F is a sophisti-
cated modeling system with a long list of commands
and capabilities. In action, DSS/F is fairly easy to use-
but it is difficult to make good use of it. For elementary
applications, simpler programs are more appropriate.
DSS/F comes into its own when a model is too large to
be retained in detail in one's head. It will easily ac-
commodate modeling set-ups otherwise too large for
the hardware.

Here's an example: I wanted to set up a model to
calculate the cost of buying a new home. On the instant
recalculation type of spreadsheet, this took me less
than half an hour. I began simply and built more calcula-
tions into the model as I went. The first formula was
operating within a few minutes. By keying-in the pur-
chase price of the house, the down payment, the
mortgage amounts and respective interest rates, I got
the system to display the total monthly payment on the
house. Later I added a Net Profit on Appreciation
calculation and some other afterthought figurings.

Tedium in LOGIC file

DSS/F proved to be prohibitively cumbersome for
this same chore. If I had applied the same trial-and-error
process with DSS/F, it would have induced frustration.
Fortunately, I knew the model I wanted to run before I
powered up with DSS/F.

It still took hours to establish the LOGIC file, debug
and compile the final version, enter the data, run the
model, and experiment with a few sets of numbers of
the crucial variables via DATAVIEW. I was exhausted
and confused. DSS/F did the job, but at a terrible cost
in mental overhead and tedium.

JUNE 1982

Business acquaintances borrowed the system and
spent a week testing and debugging a model to monitor
and project performance in a business employing 30
people. They understand models and are comfortable
on timesharing systems. They started with a paper and
pencil flow chart— not a vague idea and flying fingers
on the keyboard. They proceeded deliberately, building
their LOGIC file carefully, and making extensive use of
DSS/Fs built-in functions and graphics for output.
Their efforts weren't thwarted by the time required.
The result is an efficient set-up that can be run by a
secretary— it prints attractive, detailed reports in
response to a few keystrokes.

Becomes real-time system

In ordinary mode, DSS/F requires a two- or three-step
process to load a DATA file, run a LOGIC file on it and
print out a report. Some of these steps can be eliminated
via the DATAVIEW mode.

With DATAVIEW, DSS/F is more of a real-time system.
DATAVIEW is described in the documentation as a
"window" into the system. In the DATAVIEW mode,
one selects which rows and columns of calculated
figures are to be seen on the screen or printer. Then
one keys in "temporary data"— which comes from the
keyboard and not a prepared DATA file.

In this DATAVIEW mode, one doesn't have to go
back and forth between the EDITOR function and the
calculating process. New data can be entered, ob-
served and new data entered again. This allows for
"sensitivity analysis"— the subtle testing of slightly
different values to obtain the optimum set of outputs
from the model. If the results of a DATAVIEW run are
Satisfactory, one can save the calculated results and
use them later for a report or graphic display.

DSS/F has been written to emulate more sophisticated
mainframe financial modeling programs. It boasts some
sophisticated reporting capabilities. One intriguing
output mode involves the automatic creation of a variety
of color graphic displays.

DSS/F permits creation of pie charts, bar charts and
line graphs automatically, and the superimposition of
several— in some instances up to eight— sets of graphic

displays on a single frame or video screen. The system
provides its own range of calculations or accepts input.
There is flexibility for positioning labels, highlighting
important data, setting up standard graphs, and saving
finished displays to the disk.

Once there are a number of displays on disk, they
can be set up in slide show array and exhibited with the
remote control described earlier. Other stand-alone
programs provide this same function, but DSS/F offers
it along with all its other modeling capabilities.

A good portion of DSS/F's documentation seems
more like sales literature than instructional material.
Companies claim that prospective customers often buy
the manual before deciding on the program, but I found
it disconcerting to read some 20 pages into the docu-
mentation before booting the disk was mentioned.

Once into the instructional part of the documentation,
an extensive listing of commands and error messages
emerges— with suggested solutions and ideas for
eliminating the problem. A particularly satisfying feature
of the documentation is the section on common mis-
takes. This section covers the full range of problems
from failure to recompile a modified LOGIC file to
feeding an inappropriate disk to the drive. User support
is the name of the game with DSS/F. It is not targeted
at the typical Apple user who is looking for another
modeling program. Rather, the program seems designed
for heavy users of timesharing systems desiring to
shave their usage bills. Ferrox Systems, the company
that wrote and distributed DSS/F for Addison-Wesley is
ready with hot-line numbers on and personalized
service to walk users through problems or hold their
hands through specialized applications.

All in all, DSS/F is an omnipotent modeling system for
the Apple II. Its sheer size, automatic capabilities, built-
in functions, and sophistication are quite advanced.
While the program might be too cumbersome for simple
applications, its power can be appreciated when tackling
business-oriented, large-scale modeling problems. It
will not replace the instant recalculation spreadsheets,
but DSS/F will undeniably pave the way for more
sophisticated and extensive applications of
microcomputer power. D

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SYSTEM

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Manual $40.00 Manual & 8" Demo Disk $75.00
CONTACT YOUR NEAREST DEALER OR CALL MICRO CRAFT

Increases income 25-35% because every
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Simple to operate - no training required

For CP/M® CBASIC 2'" systems with 2
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CP/M IS trademark of Diiital Research CBASIC 2 is trademark of Compiler Systems

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 59

INTERFACE AGE 83

Software Review

PERILS OF A BUSINESS

SOFTWARE
MANUFACTURER

by Rocky Smolin

We've been writing a lot about after-sale support
problems in recent issues (see "Editor's Notebook"
Mar 82). The following article offers an unusual angle,
describing how one manufacturer handled the problem
—offering no support at all—ed.

As a consultant to small businesses, there is nothing
my firm has dreaded more than having to recommend
the purchase of a specific business accounting package
—particularly to uninitiated users of microcomputers.
Generally, the software offerings are difficult to work
with, infested with bugs and employ strange accounting
practices. The support problems are tremendous,
vendor supplied user-training shameful.

So it is with a sign of relief that we discovered the
business package offered by Vandata (Seattle, WA). It
is essentially a rework of the original Osborne/McGraw-
Hill software published in book form in 1 979, re-released,
and re-worked by at least a dozen companies since.

The entire package— general ledger, accounts
payable, accounts receivable and payroll with cost
accounting, together with documentation— is available
for the low price of $295. What's the catch? You don't
get any support— af a//— from the vendor.

To find out more about how this unusual state of
software affairs evolved, I contacted the head of
Vandata, Dwight Vandenberg.

About three years ago, Vandenberg perceived the
need for some solid, inexpensive, business software to
comply with the pending boom in small business
computers. Seeing none, Vandenberg decided to
attempt to provide the Model T of business software.
He bought the Osborne package, but found a lot of
bugs and features he didn't like, and spent several
months reworking the package.

This new software was released to the marketplace
for $165, which was, as he says, "as low as I could sell
it for and still make money." Two problems cropped up

84 INTERFACE AGE

immediately: there were still many bugs in the
software, and the support problems were tremendous.
Vandenberg "was spending too much time on the phone
with users trying to explain how the software worked, and
not enough making money." This is a painfully familiar
story to anyone in the software business.

So, in April 1981 Vandenberg upped the price to
$1 ,000. This time he offered both 1 00% support and a
30-day money back guarantee. What could go wrong
with this plan? According to Vandenberg, his business
became rife with "29 day wonders." People ordered
the software, took up much of his time getting it
implemented, then the software would be returned
with a refund request 29 days later. Vandenberg felt he
was being robbed.

Fortunately not all effort had been applied in vain.
During the six months of this second false start,
Vandenberg had been implementing something either
admirable or questionable— depending upon your point
of view. He had offered a $20 "bug reward" to anyone
documenting a bona fide bug. This facilitated the
conscientious spotting of a multitude of flaws— so
many that Dwight contends that the packages are now
essentially "bug-free." (There's always one more bug
in a package). This gave the users some sense of
compensation for tolerating flawed software. But is it
ethical to make your entire customer base a test site?

Solution to the problem

That's all water over the dam now. In September
1981 , tired of living with a telephone growing out of his
ear, Vandenberg dropped the price to $295. The new
philosophy was: you-buy-it-you-own-it-you-can-selNt-
use-it-burn-it-l-don't-care-just-don't-call-me. His market
now focuses on software dealers. He claims that for
$295, you get terrific, bug-free business software,
written in CBasic2 under CP/M, and excellent
documentation. His only requests are that dealers
don't sell it to other dealers or call him for support. He
feels that a dealer is expected to be knowledgeable

JUNE 1982

about software and programming and has the source
code, thus it becomes his job to provide the support
and training customers need.

How do his claims about the software hold up? If you
are a fairly knowledgable end user, and are looking for
good business software— particularly if you are now
using one of the Osborne/McGraw-Hill implementations
—you should be able to implement the Vandata no-
hand-holding approach. You need to be fairly
conversant with the operation of CP/M and a familiarity
with CBasic2 would also help. To use this software you
will need the CBasic2 run-time package— a small
investment for a compiler with great utility, as there's a
lot of CBasic2 software available.

Simple requirements

Hardware requirements include any 8080/8085/Z80
based system with 48K RAM (64K for Heath or Zenith),
at least one double-density 8-in. drive (three are the
optimum configuration), a 132-column printer, a CRT
with cursor addressing, CP/M (MP/M and CDOS will
work; TRSDOS will not), and at least version 2.06 of
CBasic2 (CBasic will not work).

The software is supplied on four double-sided single
density 8-in. diskettes. The manuals— although essen-
tially reprints of the original Osbornes— are impressive.
They come in a plush, silk screened, 2-in. three-ring
binder, and besides offering a readable layout— with
many figures, charts, and diagrams— they provide very
complete information on the systems' operation.

Vandenberg has extracted the chapters on data files,
on the special CBasic2 and hardware features, on
changing the software, and some other information
from each of the applications, and bound it in a
separate binder labeled Technical Information,

A third binder, the Installation Guide, written entirely
by Vandata, contains the information a dealer requires
to configure the system. The first section covers the
operation of VINSTALL, which is basically a terminal
configuration program. There are a few of the common

terminals already coded into a menu. With one of
these, a single keystroke suffices to configure the
system to your terminal. Otherwise, you need to supply
the code sequences for clear screen, home cursor,
up/down/left/right arrow, and address-cursor.

In addition to defining your CRT, the program also
allows definition of data entry field editing options, the
integration of accounts payable and accounts receiv-
able to the general ledger, and file-to-drive placement.
Unlike the original programs, Vandata allows you to
specify the drives on which to place the numerous
files. This information is not compiled into the program,
but resides in a control file. This means the drive
assignments can be changed when desired. You can
also specify one of four common check formats for the
A/P and P/R packages.

The second section gives some sample configurations
that are helpful since (by his own admission) configuring
the initial diskettes is a bit tricky. Other information in
this manual covers the details of the control file, which
contains the configuration parameters, notes on the
CRT interface routines, guidelines to recompiling the
programs and hints on the integration of the A/P and
A/R to the G/L.

User can resell

The licensing agreement, which formerly restricted
the buyer from reselling the software, has been
modified to allow the licensee to resell the software to
end users without paying royalties to Vandata. Although
the original programs published in the manuals are in the
public domain, substantial refinements by Vandata
are proprietary.

In addition to VINSTALL and the flexible drive
assignment features, Vandata has reworked the
original file update scheme. For example, in the former
version, additions to the general ledger master file
were put in a temporary transaction file. The old file
was then written, recorded by record, to a scratch
area, merging the transaction file as it went. Then the

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 85

CP/M^ SOFTWARE

For The Small Business System

HIGH - QUALITY OOWERCIAL GRADE SOFTWARE
DESIGNED FOR VERY HEAVY DAILY OFFICE USE
AirrCMATIC DATA POSTDG TO GENERAL LEDGER
RUNS GN FLOPPY-DISK OR HARD DISK SYSTD1S
REQUIRES CP/M WITO 2 DISK DRIVES AND 48K

INSURANCE AGENCY - FOR INDEPENDENT AGENCIES
HANDLING COVERAGES FROM ONE OR MORE CARRIERS.
HAS AUTOMATIC POLICY CREATIONS PLUS RENEWALS,
INVOICING & POSTING OF COMMISSIONS BY PRODUCER,
CARRIER, AND CLIENT. HAS DIRECT AND AGENCY
BILLED STATEMENTS ROUTINES, DETAILED ACCOUNTS
CURRENT, PLUS MANY OTHER CLIENT AND AGENCY
PRODUCTION REPORTS AS WELL AS A POLICY LOSS
HISTORY FILE.

MEDICAL MANAGEMENT - FOR SMALL TO MEDIUM
CLINICS. PATIENT FILES, CASE HISTORY FILE,
AND FULL APPOINTMENT SCHEDULING FILES. HANDLES
ICDA-9 DIAGNOSIS CODES AND CPT-4 PROCEDURE
CODES WITH STANDARD OFFICE CHARGES. HAS AUTO-
MATIC MONTHLY STATEMENTS, SUPER-BILLS, AND
PRINTING OF AMA INSURANCE CLAIM FORMS AS WELL
AS PRODUCTION ANALYSIS, RECALL, INQUIRY, AND
OVER TViEtm OTHER REPORTS.

DENTAL MANAGEMENT - SIMILAR TO MEDICAL EXCEPT
DESIGNED FOR ADA PROCEDURE CODES AND CHARGES
AND ALSO PRINTS TOOTH AND SURFACE ON STANDARD
^DA INSURANCE FORM. BOTH SYSTEMS HAVE A FORMS
MENU FOR PRINTING ADDITIONAL STATE AND LOCAL
INSURANCE FORMS AS WELL AS SPECIAL STATEMENTS.

LEGAL TIME ACCOUNTING - FOR LAW^OFFICES.
HANDLES CLIENT FILES AND ATTORNEY APPOINTMENT
REGISTER. ACTIVE CASE FILES ARE CATEGORIZED BY
CASE TYPE, CLIENT, ATTORNEY, CASE NUMBER, AND
DATE. HAS AUTOMATIC DEFAULT FOR STANmRD FLAT
RATE OR HOURLY CHARGES BY CLASS OF SERVICE WITH
MCKTHLY ANALYSIS OF TIME SPENT BY EACH ATTORNEY
IN EACH CATEGORY. LINKS FOR PRINTING STANDARD
LEGAL FORMS & REAL ESTATE FORMS ALSO PROVIDED.

I PROPERTY MANAGEMENT - THIS IS CNE OF THE MOST
COMPLETE SYSTEMS ON THE MARKET TODAY FOR THE
PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY! ALLOWS
COMPLETE HANDLING OF ONE OR MORE GROUPS OF
RENTAL PROPERTY OR COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS IN A
SINGLE CONSOLIDATED LEDGER WHILE MAINTAINING
SEPARATE COST-ACCOUNTING ON EACH BUILDING.
HANDLES ESCROW DEPOSITS, MONTHLY STATEMENTS TO
RENTERS, AND MUCH MORE.

I PLUS ON-LINE ORDER-ENTRY, REAL ESTATE MULTI-
LIST, GENERAL LEDGER, ACCOUNTS PAYABLE,

lAOCDUNTS RECEIVT^BLE, FINANCIAL ANALYSIS, FULLY
IJTTEGRATED WORD PROCESSING AND SPELLING, DATA

I BASE MANAGEMENT, AND CP/M FOR TANDY MODEL II !

CP/H IS A PRODUCT OF DIGITAL RESEARCH *

OPERATOR'S MANUALS AVAILABLE SEPT^JV^TELY *

UNIVAIR INTERNATIONAL

10327 LAMBERT INT'L. AIRPORT
ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI U.S.A. 63145

(314)426-1099

86 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 79

old file was deleted and the new file given the name of
the old file. This meant that a scratch area as large as
the old file plus the transaction file were required.
Under the Vandata approach, the transaction file is
merged into the existing file starting from the back and
working forward, eliminating the need for a scratch
area and accelerating the process.

Dwight told us that he would have liked to implement
an ISAM in all the packages but found it impractical to
do so. The G/L does keep 200 index entries to the G/L
master file in memory, which hastens transaction
processing.

All systems use screen-oriented data entry,
employing cursor addressing instead of scrolling and
formatted data areas. Screen handling is consistent. All
the systems are menu-drive. With extended
processing, the user is kept informed as to what the
program is doing.

The only things found in our initial use of the general
ledger that would benefit from further refinement were
of marginal importance. It would be inconvenient to be
able to override the top-of-form at the beginning of
each report. The cash journal report allows you to print
receipts and disbursements as separate options but
not both at once. There is no optional automatic
posting of retained earnings at the income statement,
but this convenience could be added by the user with
little difficulty.

Original design is followed

Reporting and processing features follow the original
Osborne design. In addition to a G/L file maintenance
report, the general ledger provides the postings
report, G/L update (audit trail), G/L posting errors.
Income Statement (trial, special, monthly, and quarterly),
balance sheet, and cash journal.

Accounts Receivable, in addition to file maintenance,
transaction and update reports, produces open and
closed item listing (detail, summary, customer number
range), A/R aging analysis, A/R unbilled items, A/R
statements, and a customer list and activity report. It is
an open item, invoice-oriented system. Distributions to
the general ledger are handled by a special table of
accounts that contains the distribution account number
and the corresponding tax rate. Aging periods for
receivables are user-definable. Customer demographics
include name and address, last activity date, total billed
this year, and total billed last year.

The accounts payable produces a check register,
checks, A/P ledger (open or closed items), and vendor
activity reports and lists. The system will handle
invoices, credit and debit memos, allow flexible aging
periods, and automatically post to the general ledger.

Payroll reports are extensive and include audit trails,
transaction and error reports, as well as checks with
stubs, a check register, deduction register, absentee
report, payroll history, insurance report. Federal 941 -A
and W2s. State tax tables are not supplied and the user
must alter the programs to calculate state and local
taxes. Full documentation is supplied for this procedure,
but Vandata warns that the undertaking requires a
competent programmer.

All in all (non-support notwithstanding), the package
seems to be a worthwhile option for businesses
seeking a comprehensive accounting package. D

JUNE 1982

Imagine writing better, S^AH^^^ ^^^R^^^ ^^^ '^^^^ ^^^^

faster business programs H W^P' Av H^^ 20-megabyte drives

in 20% of the time. Now you ^f ^f ^^^ ^^ ^L^ or 8 floppy drives and

can, with this revolutionary ^^^ ^^^ 254 diskettes,

programming tool. Let's H H TOScanuse

face it ... the g reat H _ H the storage space

majority ^p|fl H ^Ui^P^k ^PlH ^P^l Vk ^7 ^^ ^'^^ '^"^^^ ^''^

programming is ^■■H^I^^^^A^lB^I^H ^^^f or several — it's up

Every instance ^^WMM ^^^^^^^^^ ^m The database

of creativity may j^ manager of The

require hours of H^ ^ Tool offers: fast

generating code. ^ ^_ fli^i^H^L^L .^^^ ^^^^ ''^^^ ^'^^ ^"^'^^ ^ ^^^^
Not anymore. The ^^^^^^vHPIH^F^Fi^^^kH^^B ^^^ write directly to
Tool" takes care of ^V^V ■ ■ H H V^^H I ^^^i^l^'^^ / over 1 5
the busywork, letting ^V ^V H H ■ H ^^^^H H million records/
you concentrate ^^^ sequential and

on creating. . _ _ ^ ^ ^ ^H random access /

Design attractive ^0^^ ^0^^^^k / ^^ multiple disk drives/

entry screens, ^^^B ^^^wl^^M >^fl[^.^^b P^i^^i^' ^'^d masked

validate, format, ^^^^H ^M^j^0^ ^^^K^T ^^^^ lookup / Corvus
and store user ^^^B^^^^r Mmm ^^^^m I ^^ floppy support /

input, with virtually ^^^^ ^^^F ^ ^^ ^^^F H record length as large
no programming. as memory

The Tool does it for you. What ^^.^^^ ^ ^ ^ REPORTING; easy report

used to take days - even weeks ^^^^^^^^H H HF' definition / define reports
— now takes only minutes. ^A^fH HH..H^I^ directly on screen / multiple

And the result is better, faster, ^^m ^^^^^■pHH column widths / calculations at
more professional programs. JV ^^^ "^^^m ^ p^^j^^^ ^^^^ ^ ^^^^1^ ^ paging /

The Tool provides an entry ^f ■ subtotals / page numbering /

screen generator, a database ^ headers / title

manager, and a report ^-^^ .^^^^m^^^fc * '^^^ "^^o' ^^^^ '^^^ memory

formatter, each with very HF^B^^^^^B^^ ^B ^'^^'^ ^'^ conventional

sophisticated capabilities. H H^P^^^K H programming methods.

ENTRY SCREENS: ■ H^^^^^ ■ • The Tool's many features can

The Tool ^^^ be used from BASIC, giving you

allows you ultimate flexibility.

to make ^M^kHtf ^0^k ^B^IHtf ^B^l^^^^^^

^F^^^^^^^^^^r^H ^^^^f^l I^^^^H ^l^-eady
usefulentry ^^^VH ^L^V^^^IH ^^^IH I H^
screens a ^R^F H ^S^F ^^^H H ^B^H ■ ■ H H testing and
standard H ^k^F debugging

part of your time,

programs. It handles all screen editing, field Using The Tool is actually like having an
formatting, and entry validation for you. experienced Apple 11™ programmer do most

Character Validations: of the work for you .

alpha / numeric / blank / yes or no / signed High Technology Software Products, Inc., P.O.
values / password / Radix 50 / decimal point Box IA-1 4665, 2201 N.E. 63rd, Oklahoma City,
/ dollars and cents ■ ■■ ■ Oklahoma 731 13

Field validations and formats: LJ |/« W0\ C405] 478-21 05

range / valid entry / valid date / not in range ^1 I^J I I ^^^1^ 11" ' '^^^^^^^^ °'

, ^ ^ x/ix IX / i/x ■■■ 3^M ■ ■ APP's Computer Inc

/ not valid entry / defaults / equal / not ^_ ^f ■ ■

equal / basic check / left justify / right justify l^^^^l^ V%#\|#\^^%#
/ leading zeros / invisible field / dollars and l g™ CZl Ml IKJICJCJ^y
cents/ 100th of cent b^^f^^fh ■■ "^^"^^n J

DATABASE: ^ ^MA^^=^=^

The Tool Operating System [TOS] allows ^^i= =e = ^5^^= == ^^
files to span multiple disk drives. Whether ^^ ~^^ - - — — ~r^-. ^^ .

JUNE 1982 CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 39 INTERFACE AGE 67

PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS

S-100 CPU NEW!

ONE

CO-PROCESSOR 8066/8087 - COMPUPRO

16 bit 8 or 10 MHz 8086 CPU with sockets for 8087

and 80130
PART NO. DESCRIPTION LIST PRICEOUR PRICE

IFGBTI86A A&T 8MHz 8086 only $695.00 $625.00

IFGBT186C CSC 10MHz 8086 only $850.00 $765.00
IFGBT186A87 M 7 w/fA? 8087 opf/on $1295.00 $1225.00
IFGBTI86C87 CSC with 8087 option- S1550.00 $1465,00

*808 7 requires slowerclock speeds

CPU-Z - GODBOUT

2/4 MHZ Z80 CPU 24 Bit Addressing

IFGBT160A A&T $295.00.... $280.00

IFGBT 160C CSC 3-6 MHZ $395.00 . . . .$375.00

DUAL PROCESSOR 8085-8088 - COMPUPRO

6 or 8 MZ Provides true 1 6 Bit Power with a standard 8

bit S-100 bus.

IFGBT 1612A A&T 6 MHZ $425.00 ... .$399.00

IFGBT1612C CSC 6/8 MHZ S525.00 ... .$498.00

SOIJD STATE DISK DRIVE, 3500% FASTER!

Not Really, But the Next Best Thing For Compupro
8085/88 Users. Call for Details on M-Drive.

IF G8T MO 128K $1,550.00

[F GBT MO 256K $3,000.00

2810 Z80 CPU-CA. COMP. SYST.
2/4 MHZ Z80A CPU with RS232C Serial I/O Port
complete with Monitor FROM for 2422 Disk Controller

IFCCS 2810A A&T $325.UU . . . $300.00

CB2 Z80 CPU - S.S.M.
2/4 MHZ will accept 2716, or 2732, or RAM

IF SSMCB2K Kit $260.00

IF SSMCB2A A&T $344.00 . . . .$310.00

IF SSMZ80M SSMZ80 Monitor $89.00

S-100 I/O BOARDS

STSTZIi SUPPORT 1 - GODBOUT

Serial port (software prog baud), 4K EPROM OR RAM

provision, 15 levels of interrupt, real time clock,

optional math processor

1 PART MO.

flK Q>l lfTI?W

LIST PBICE OUR PfllCEl

IFGBT162A Assembled & Tested $399.00 S360.00

IFGBT162C CSC $495.00 S460.00

IFGBT8231 Math Cf)ip S195.00

IFGBTeZSZ Math Chip il95.D0

IFBBT182AMT A&T with 8231 Math Chip S555.00

lFGBT162CMt CSC with 8231 Math Chip S655.00

IFGBT16ZAHZ A&T with 8232 Math Chip S555.00

IF GBT162CM2 CSC with 8232 Math Chip $655.00

MPX CHANNEL BOARD • COMPUPRO

I/O Multiplexer, using 8085A-2 CPU on board

With 4K RAM

IFG8T166A4 A&T $495.00 S445.00

IFGBT166C4 CSC $595.00 $535.00

With 16KRAM

IFGBT166A16 A&T $649.00 $585.00

IFfiBT166CT6 CSC $749.00 $675.00

INTERFACER I - COMPUPRO

Two Serial I/O

IFGBT133A A&T $249.00 $219.00

IFGBT133C CSC $324.00 $298.00

INTERFACER II - COMPUPRO

Three parallel, one serial I/O board

1FGBTI50A A&T $249.00 SZlB.Ofl

IFGBTI50C CSC $324.00 $289.00

INTERFACER III - COMPUPRO

Eight channel multi-use serial I/O board

IFRBTI748A A&T $699.00 $629.00

IFGBT1748C CSC 200 hr. 8 Port $849.00 $750.00

IFGBT1745A A&T $599.00 $559.00

IFGBT1745C CSC 200 hr. 5 Port $699.00 S629.00

MULTI I/O - MORROW DESIGNS

Three Serial, Two parallel

lFIK9SMd3200 A&T $359.00

SWITCHBOARD - MORROW DESIGNS

Two serial I/O, four parallel I/O,

one status port, one strobe port

IFM0SSB24I1 ' $299.00

I/04 - SSM

Two serial I/O, two parallel I/O

IFSSMI04K Kit

IFSSMI04A A&T $290.00

I/O 5 - SSM

2 Serial, 3 Parallel including 1 Centronics

IFSSMI051 A&T $329.00 $309.00

I/O 8 - SSM

8 Port Serial I/O with Timer

IFSSMI08A A&T $550.00 $495.00

2710 4 PORT SERIAL - CCS
4 Full handshaking RS232 ports and ODtional2KROM
IFCCS271001 A&T $325,00 $310.00

2719 2 SERUIL & 2 PARALLEL - CCS

2 RS232G ports, 2 8 bit parallel ports, & optional2KROM

IFFCCS271901 A&T $360.00 $340 00

2720 4 PORT PARALLEL - CCS

4 8 bit parallel ports and optional 2K ROM

IFCCS27200I A&T $275.00 $260.00

$329.00

$289.00

$ZID.00
$260.00

S- 100 10 MHZ STATIC RAM

NEW LOW PRICES!

RAM20-32K
C^mpuPro"

32K STATIC RAM - COMPUPRO

RAM 20 10 MHZ, 4K byte block disable, bank select
or 24 bit addressing available 8, 16, 24 or 32K

I PART HO.

OESCRIPTIOH

IFGBT164AA8 8K A&T
IFGBTI64AC8: 8K CSC
jfGBT164AAI6 16KA&T
fGBT164AC16 16K CSC
IFG8T164AA24 24K A&T
IFGBTI64AC24 24K CSC
1FGBT164AA32 32 K A&T
IFGBTI64AC32 32KCSC

LIST PRICE OUR PRICE I

$210.00 $190.00

$280.00 $260.00

$285.00 $260.00

$355.00 $325.00

$425.00 $385.00

$495.00 $450.00

CMOS STATIC RAM

For a complete analysis of the advantages of CMOS

memory, see the "Product Description" on page 41 6 of

the January Issue of BfTE.

64K CMOS STATIC RAM - COMPUPRO

RAM 17, 10 MHZ, 2 Watt, DMA Compatable

24 Bit Addressing

IFGBT175A64 64K A&T $599.00 $550.00

IFGBT175C64 64K CSC 200hr. $699.00 $650.00

NEW! 32K X 16 BIT CMOS STATIC RAM > COMPUPRO

8 and/or 16 Bit

@) RAM 16 10 MHZ,. 32 K x 16 or 64K x 8

IEEE/696 16 BIT 2 Watt, 24 Bit Addressing

1FG8TI80A 64KA&T $650.00 $599.00

IFGBT180C 64KCSC $750.00 $699.00

NEW! 128K NMOS STATIC RAM - COMPUPRO

816 RAM 21 12MHz. 1 28K x 8 or 64K x 16

TEEE/696 8 or 16 Bit 1.2 Amps 24 Bit Addressing

1FGBTI90A 128KA&T $1695.00 $1610.00

IFGBTI90C 128KCSC $1895.00 $1795.00

S-100 PROM

PBI PROM PROGRAMMER - SSM

Programs 2708 or 2716's, operates as a

4K/8K EPROM BOARD AS WELL.

IFSSMPBIK Kit $179.00

IFSSMPBIA A&T $265.00 $220.00

ECONOROM 2708 - COMPUPRO

16K X 8 EPROM Board using 2708. Power on

jump to any 256 byte

IFG8T125A A&T $135.00 $120.00

IFGBT125C CSC $195.00 $175.00

MB8A • SSM
1 K/16K2708 EPROM board, disablein IK increments
IFSSMMB8AK Kit $114.00

IFSSMMB8AA A&T $179.00 $159.00

S-100 VIDEO BOARDS

SPECTRUM - COMPUPRO

Color Graphics board with Parallel I/O

IF GBT144A A&T $399.00 $349.00

IF GBT144C CSC $449.00 $399.00

IF GBT20 Sublogic Universal $35.00

Graphics Interpreter Software

VB - 3 S.S.M.

80 X 25 or 50 character video display Memory

Mapped, Parallel Keyboard port

|ySSMVB3K24 80 X 24 Kit $425.00

IFSSMVB3A24 80 x 24 A&T $499.00 $440.00

IFSSMVB3UP 30 x CG Line Upgrade $ 39.00

VB2-S.S.M.
I/O Mapped V,'Joo Board, with Parallel Keyboard port

64 X 16

IFSSMVB2K Kit $199.00

IFSSMVB2A A&T $269.00 $229.00

VBBB - S.S.M

Memory Mapped Video Board 64 x 16 character

display or 64 x 16 graphics display

IFSSMVBIK Kit $179.00

IFSSMVBIA A&T $242.00 $220.00

S-100 CLOCK CALENDAR

IFQTCCCSA Assembled & Tested $150.00

As seen in March Kilobaud Magazine

S-100 MOTHERBOARDS - COMPUPRO

>Ac^/Ve termination, 6-12-20 slot

IFGBT153A
IFGBT153C

lFfiBT155A
IFGTB155C

A&T 6 slot, 2 lbs
CSC 6 slot, 2 lbs.
A&T 12 slot, 3 lbs.
CSC 12 slot. 3 lbs.
A&T 20 slot. 4 lbs.
CSC 20 slot. 4 ibs.

$140.00
$190.00
$175.00
$240.00
$265.00
$340.00

$126.00
$175.00
$155.00
$220.00
$235.00
$310.00

S-100 DYNAMIC RAM

THE EXPANDABLE 1
PRIORITY 1 ELECTRONICS

THE EXPANDABLE 1" 64K Dynamic Ram board
provides your S-100 system with 64K of reliable, high-
speed dynamic RAM. Compatable with most of the
major S-100 systems on the market, including those
with front panels, it supports DMA operations and
requires no Wait states with current microprocessors.

• User expandable from 16 to 64K • Supports DMA

• Designed to IBEE proposed S- 1 00 bus standards • 2or
4 MHz operation • Operates with either an 8080 orZ-80
based S-100 system, providing processor-transparent re-
freshes with both • Supports IMSAI-type front panels

• Jumper-selectable Phantom input • Uses Popular
41 1G RAMS • All ICs in sockets • Any 16K block can be
made bank-independent • Fully buffered address and
data lines • Fail-safe refresh circuitry for extended Wait
states • Board configuration with reliable, easy-to-con-
figure Berg jumpers

IfrPRIEXPllO 16K Assembled & Tested $299.00

|fPRIEXP132 32K Assembled & Tested $339.00

IFPRIEXP148 48K Assembled & Tested $379.00

IFPRIEXP164 64K Assembled & Tested $409.00

S-100 DISK CONTROLLERS

2422A - CA. COMP. SYST.

I/O Mapped, controls 8", single or
double density A&T with CPM 2.2 8" S.D.

IlTsT PRICE OUR PRICE!

IFCCS2422A $475.00 $375.00

DISK JOCKEY 2D - MORROW

Memory Mapped, controls 8", single or

double density, serial I/O

IFM010J2208 A&T with CP/M 2.2 $399.00 $375.00

S-100 DISK SUBSYSTEMS

DJ2B DISCUS SINGLE SIDED MORROW

B" DBL Density drives with cabinet, power supply

controller, with CP/M 2.2 and Microsoft Basic

IFMDSF1218 Single Drive System $1095.00 $950.00

IFMDSFI228 Dual Drive System $1875.00 $1598.00

DJ2B DISCUS DOUBLE SIDED - MORROW

8" DBL Density/sided drives with cabinet Power

supply controller, with CP/M 2.2 and Microsoft Basic

IFM0SF221B Single Drive System $1395.00 $1250.00

IFM0SF2228 Dual Drive System $2495.00 $2050.00

S- 100 HARD DISK - MORROW

5.25" 5MB, 8" 10 & 20MB, 14" 26MB formatted
hard disk complete with cabinet, P.S., Controller,

CP/M 2.?. and Mic rosoft MBASIC 80

li;ST PRICE S ftLEPHiCEl

IFM0S0MAM5 [, MS $2495.00 « $1995.00

IFMOSMIOS 10 MB $3695.00 (^ $2950.00

OUTPERFORMS MONITORS OF TWICE THE PRICE!

USI has the competition buckling at their knees!

You can have a professional performing Video
Monitor for a fraction of ttie costl Ttie USI PI2 (Green).
The USI PI2 (Green of PI 3 (Amber) isahigh resolution data
display compatible with 80 x 24 computer formats.

List Price Sale Price
IFUSIPI2 12" Green 24 Ibs. $275.00 S 149.00
IFUSIPI3 12'' Amber 24 Ibs. $289.00 $209.00

OUR NEW CATALOG IS IN THE MAIL TO YOU NOW!

PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS

COMPUPRO DMA DISK 1

Fast DMA, Soft Sector, Controls 8" or SV^" Single
or Double Density. OUR BEST!

'PflBT ND.

DESCHIPTIOH

LIST PRICE OUR PRICE I

IFGBTUIA A&T $495.00 $450.00

IF6BTI71C CSC $595.00 $555.00

IF SBTCPM80* CP/M 2.2 for Z80/8085 with $175.00

manuals & BIOS 8" S/D disk

IF GBT0AS8S Oasis 8 bit single user 8" S/D disk $500.00

IFGBTOASaM Oasis 8 bit multiuser, 8" S/D disk $850.00

PRIORITY ONE ELECTRONICS
IS PROUD TO ANNOUNCE THAT WE NOW STOCK

•T^.

DUAL SYSTEMS PRODUCTS

CPU/68000-8MHZ 68000 CPU

16 bit 68000 CPU with on board ROM containing MACSBUG Monitor or

Motorola 68541 Memory Management Unit (MMU).
IF0ULCPU68000 A&T with Monitor 31195.00 $1075.00

IFDULCPU66000M A&T with MMU ?1495.00 $1395.00

DMEM256KP-256K DYNAMIC MEMORY MODULE
256Kb with byte parity error detection for 8 or 16 bit

computers
IFDUL0MEM256K 256K A&T $149500 $1395.00

CMEM NONVOLATILE CMOS MEMORY
Nonvolatile CMOS memory with 3-10 year battery backup

on board
IFDULCMEM6K 8K A&T $695.00 $629.00

IF0ULCMEM16K 16KA&T $795.00 $725.00

IF0ULCMEM32K 32K A&T $995.00 $940.00

2716/2732 EPROM BOARD WITH 1 6BIT DATA

PATHS
Designed to hold 32Kb of 271b type or 64Kb of 2732 type
EPROMS, or ROMS for read only use with 16 bit CPU

systems.
IF0ULEPRDM323K 2716 EPROM BoardA&T $295.00 $280.00
IFDULEPRDM64K 2732 EPROM Board A&T $295.00 $260.00

AIM12-12 BIT A/D CONVERTER
A/ D input module with 12 bit accuracy, 32 input channels

and optional instrumpntaticn amplifier.
IF0ULAIM12 A&T with Instru. Amp. $785.00 $745.00
iF0ULAIM12B A&T without Instni. Amp $69n.00 $660.00

A0M1 2-1 2 BIT D/A CONVERTER
0/A output module, 4 channels, 12 bit accuracy. Optional
VIC420 industrial output module (4-20Ma), 4 channels,

used in conjunction with A0M12.
IFDULA0M12 A^-T S675.00 $540.00

IFDULVIC420 A&f $675.00 $640.00

CLK24-N0NV0LATILE CLOCK/CALENDAR
Day, date, hours, minutes, 23conds, and 3-5 year battery

backup on board. Read or write directly from I/O port.
IF0ULCLK24C A&T with 60Hz interrupt $300.00 $285.00

PRINTERS

MICROLINE - OKIDATA

WITH FRICTION AND TRACTOR FEED

• BI-DIRECTIONAL - 120 CPS • Parallel and Serial I/O

• 9x9 Matrix (Alphanumeric) • 100 Ttvu 1200 Baud

• 6x9 or 12 Matrix forGraphics • Self Test

• 5,8.3, 10, 1 6 Charactrsp/lnch • Out of Paper Switch

• 6 cr8 Lines per Inch • Friction or Tractor Feed
m80 CPL@ 10 CPI for 82 A m 3" to 14" Top of Form

• 1 32 CPL @10CPI for 83 A (Switch Selectable)
• 10 Different Character Sets

IPABT WD.

DESCRIPnOW

UST PRICE SAL£ PRtCEj

IF0KI0A1B2AT(26II«)8 80CPL (9^10 CPl$ 799.00 $539.00

IF 0K10ATB?ftT (37 lbs] 1 32 CPL (§^10 CPI $119 5.00 $750.00

IF0KISER2KBF 9600 baud with 2K Serial $15«! 00

Buffer upgrade with X-on Y-off

IF 0KI6RAPH High Resolution Graphics Prom $99.00

CALL FOR THE NEW MICROLZNE 84

MX80 - EPSON

NEED WE SAY MORE?

IPiPHMm Tractor Feed 17 lbs $645.00 ^50.00

IFEPNMX80FT Tractor & Friction Feed $745.00 S550.00

IF EPNMX100 1 32 Co l. Tractor Feed 24 lbs $725.00

PRINTER INTERFACES - MICROEYTE

RS232 Serial Conversion for MX80
IFMBSSEII A&T $55.00

Apple Centronics 8 bit parallel intaiface
for Centronics, Epson & OKIDATA printers
IFMBSAEI1 A&T $55.00

IFMBSAEC1 Cable for above $14.95

Printer interfaces & cables sold only with printer purchase

S-100 MAINFRAMES

S-lOO MICROFPAME - TEI

) 10V 60HZ CVT Mainframes, the best money can buy!

12 Slot ±8V 17A±16V @ 2A

22 Slot ±8V (S 30A± 16V (S 4A

PART HO.

flUR PRICE
LISTPRICE 1-9 10-24

IFTEIMCSIIZ 12 Slot Desk S75500 $660.00 $627.00

IFTEIMCS IZZ 22 Slot Desk S910.00 $798.00 $776.00

IFTEIRM 12 12 Slot Rackmount S800.00 $715,00 $681.00
IFTEIRII(I22 22 Slot Rackmount S965 00 $860.00 $825.00
Shipping Weight: On 12 Slot Mainframe 45 lbs.
On 22 Slot Mainframes 55 lbs.

TEI S-100 FI^AMES
3 - 5" DISK CUTOUTS

±8V @ 17±16V @ 1.2 A Internal Cables

1-9 10-24

[FTEITF12 12 Slot desk S745 00 $670.00 $638.00

IFTEIRF12 12 Slot Rackmount S855.00 $765.00 $732.00

Shipping Weight: On 12 Slot Desk 40 lbs.

On 12 Slot Rackmount 45 lbs.

DUAL 8'' DISK DRIVE CHASSIS - TEI

For Shugart 801/851 R or QUME DT8 size drives. Internal
power cables provided.

+24V @ 1.5A+5V'(Si 1.0A - 5V @ .25A

1-9 10-24

IFTIBCFDO Desk Top S565.00 $520.00 $480.00

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1 2-slot motherboard with removable termination card
IFCCS220001 Office Cream 35 lbs S5 75.00 $535.00

1FCCS220002 Blue 35 lbs S5 75.00 $535.00

SOFTWARE - MICROPRO

All software is supplied on 8" Single Density IBM

3740 CP/M Compatable Diskettes

WORDSTAR

Screen-Oriented, integrated word processing system

specifically designed for non-technical personnel

/f MPr.WRDSTAI $495.00 $300.00

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 94

PRIORITY

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IFTHDTMBM Manual - not included with drive $10.00
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IFSHUSA80IRM Manual for 80IR drives $10.00

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IFTNDTM5M Manual, not included with drive $ 10.00
Ms used in the IBM PC.

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prices are for prepaid orders only.

If you don't get yours by May 10th, send $1.00 for your copy!

©■^

± f_± f

by Bernard Conrad Cole

utilizing the considerable body of research conducted
during the 70s into multiprocessing and continuing
advances in semiconductor and communications techno-
logy as a foundation, a number of multi-microprocessor
computing systems ar© beginning to appear. While not
as powerful as mainfraime uniprocessors, multi-
microprocessor systems are beginning to assume
some of the business chores previously handled by
larger systems.

In two preceding installments of this series (I A Apr
and May 82), we introduced the topic of multiprocessor
schemes and discussed the ideal configurations. In this
concluding article, we will survey some of the manufac-
turers of multiprocessor system hardware.

Commercial multiprocessor systems fall into two
categories: closely-coupled and loosely-coupled. Into
the first category fall such products as OSM's Zeus
multiprocessor computer system, Intertec Data
System's Compustar, Action Computer's Discovery
Multiprocessor, TBI's System 48 and Micromation's
Mariner System.

Two of the most impressive entries in this category
are Molecular Computer's Inf iNET and Ohio Scientific's
OS-65U Networking System.

Molecular's InfiNET series is a family of multipro-
cessor systems that support up to 32 simultaneous
users in a full CP/M-compatible environment. The
approach is designed to eliminate overhead and
degradation problems associated with other network
architectures— such as those based on a polling scheme.

With InfiNET, each user has an application processor.
A Megabus Interprocessor link enables each appplication
processor to talk directly to another. It gives users
direct access to private or common files in a file
processor, as well as a direct link to shared peripheral.

Based on a contention bus design, the Megabus
enables data transfers between independently operating
application processors and the file processor at 1 .25M
bytes per second.

A minimum Inf iNET-l configuration consists of a Z-80
based file processor with 64K bytes of RAM, 10M
bytes of Winchester disk storage and an 8-in. floppy
disk drive. It can be operated either as a standalone
system under CP/M version 2 or as a node In a multi-

90 INTERFACE AGE

Suppliers of

Multiprocessor

Equipment

microprocessor system, supporting up to eight
simultaneous users.

A minimum configuration, InfiNET II includes the file
processor, 30M bytes of 8-in. Winchester disk storage,
500M bytes of 8-in. floppy disk storage, 20M bytes of
tape backup, and supports up to 32 simultaneous
users. With the addition of a 62- or 140-Mbyte
Winchester drive, total system storage can comprise
170M bytes.

As user terminals are added to an InfiNET multi-
processor system, additional application processors
(each with a Z-80, 64K bytes of RAM. and 2K of PROM)
are installed in a central Network Unit. N/STAR resides
in the file processor and uses about half of the onboard
RAM. The remainder provides 32K bytes of disk buffer
—to enhance throughput in multiple user applications.

As users are added, N/STAR automatically recon-
figures itself to recognize additions. The N/STAR
network operating system provides concurrent file
sharing— as well as password security, record locking,
private and common user files, foreground/background
processing and print spooling.

More impressive is Ohio Scientific's OS-65U network
system, which can interconnect up to 16 hard disk
based timesharing systems (level 3), as well as up to
1 5 floppy disk based microcomputer systems (level 2).
Each can support up to 16 microprocessor-based
intelligent terminals (level 1). In all, literally thousands
of users can be interconnected for hard disk data and
program sharing. Speed of data transmission between
computers can be as high as 500,000 bits-per-second.

Each level 2 computer consists of a Challenger II or
III with 56K bytes of RAM and an 8-in. floppy disk and
one data base communications port linked to a level 1
intelligent terminal. Minimal requirements for a level 3
network data base are either an Ohio Scientific C3-C or
C3-B computer with 23 or 74M bytes of Winchester
disk storage, 1 0OK bytes of RAM and a special interface
board for network and cluster communications.

Each terminal can be connected to its associated
computer with up to 50 feet of cable, or if modems are
used— an unlimited distance via telephone lines. High
speed links are limited to a maximum of 10,000 feet.

The loosely-coupled category envelops general
purpose local area networking systems and special
purpose systems designed for business applications
—like Nelma's NDX-100 electronic filing system.
System Development Corp.'s SDC Records Manager,

JUNE 1982

and Convergent Technologies' information processing
systems.

Typical of the loosely-coupled LAN-based multipro-
cessors that permit linking multiple workstations, terminals
and/or personal computers together into multiprocessor
computing systems is Ethernet. It is the most publicized
local packet networking offered today. Developed by
Xerox's Palo Alto, CA, research center, it was initially
conceived as a broadbase packet-switching medium in
which each station's transceiver selects appropriate
messages based on the packet's leading address.
Ethernet was designed primarily to support Xerox's
entry into the office automation market. Now the alliance
involves Digital Equipment, Intel, Zilog's Z-Net and
Ungerman-Bass' Net/One. Typical capacity ranges
from 200 to 300 nodes, and overall distance is 1 to
2 miles.

Network Systems' Hyperchannel and Hyperbus
offerings, are similar to Ethernet in many ways. Hyper-
channel can extend up to one mile without repeaters. A
maximum of 64 devices can be multidropped from
Hyperchannel, which uses an 8-bit address.

One of the first entries in the broadband arena was
Digital Communications' Paklom system. A more recent
participant is Sytek, with its manufacturing subsidiary.
Network Resources. Sytek offers two high performance
network products: Localnet 20 and Localnet 40. It can
support 1 20 networks on a single cable and broadcasts
over 15 miles. A system can consist of up to several
thousand Localnet nodes without significant signal loss
or increase in noise and error.

A variation of the LAN approach is Compucorp's
Omeganet. it is a distributed resource network system
featuring a network of subnetworks. Omeganet uses a
departmental grouping of 2-16 microprocessor-based
workstations that can be linked to any number of
additional departmental networks. This enables a
workstation in a subnetwork to communicate with
another workstation or data base in any other subnetwork.

Toward more power

Present 8-bit CPU-based multiprocessor systems can
manage business processing jobs previously handled by
large mainframe uniprocessors. But personal computers
based on the newer 16- and 32-bit CPUs will be
required in order to build multiprocessor networks
equivalent in power to mainframe uniprocessors.
Typical CPUs include National's 16000, Intel's iAPX
432, Zilog's Z8000 and Motorola's 68000. A number
of new 16-bit personal computers have begun to
appear, including IBM's Personal Computer, the Apple
III, and Tandy's entry, combining a Z-80 and a 6800
into the same unit.

Compared to 8-bit designs, the new 16-bit CPUs
offer advantages to system designers including
compatibility with high level languages, faster
throughput, larger memory, and addressing space in
the megabyte range— as well as built-in multiprocessing
capability.

Eight-bit microprocessors are generally limited to an
addressing space of 64K bytes. The addressing range
of the new 16-bit CPUs Is enormous— generally 1M
byte or more— with the 32-bit CPU in excess of 10 to
20M bytes— at a minimum. Some operate in an
extended or segmented mode for additional capability.
Sophisticated memory management schemes can

JUNE 1982

extend memory range and provide memory protection,
segment variation and relocation.

Typical of the newer generation of multiprocessor
systems is Convergent Technologies' family of multi-
function advanced workstations. Each is based on the
Intel 8088 and provides up to 1/2 M byte of mass storage
in each desktop unit. The AWS family consists of
four members:

AWS-210, which supports from 128K to 51 2K bytes
of RAM, has no mass storage and may be used as a
cluster station;

AWS-220, similar to the AWS-210, except that it
supports one minifloppy unit with a formatted capacity
of 31 5K bytes, and can operate as either a standalone
unit or as a cluster station;

AWS-230, with up to 256K bytes of RAM and two
minifloppies with a total capacity of 630K bytes, and
can operate either as a standalone unit or as a cluster
station with local mass storage; and.

Enhanced configurations

AWS-240, which supports from 256K to 512K bytes
of RAM, a minifloppy and mini-Winchester with a total
capacity of 5.3M bytes. (In addition to all the other
options, it can act also as a master station in a cluster.)

The AWS incorporates the company's CTOS
operating system for real time, multitasking operation.
Data management facilities include multi-key ISAM with
record level locking for flexible access to records and a
sort-merge facility that sorts multiple unordered
record files and merges them with ordered records
into a single ordered file. Four industry standard
protocols are supported: 3270 terminal emulator, RJE
terminal emulator, asynchronous terminal and X.25
terminal emulation.

The CTOS operating system supports local resource
sharing networks as well as standalone work stations.
In a cluster configuration of up to 16 work stations,
essentially the same operating system executes in
each work station and in a shared resource master
processor.

System Development Corp.'s Record Manager is
based on the Multibus— a parallel bus providing a
16-bit data path, twenty bits of memory address and
arbitration of conflicts between multiple bus masters. It
uses a mix of 8- and 1 6-bit CPUs, specifically 8085s
and 8086s. Except for the central processor, all are
dedicated to specific system functions. About 1/2 M
byte of main storage is used in each processor for
program and working storage, all of which is addressable
via the Multibus.

Program storage is a mix of RAM and ROM,
depending on the specific function and the likelihood of
changes in the module function. The Records Manager
is designed for as many as four disk drives of up to
600M bytes of storage. One Winchester disk is housed
in a central cabinet with a capacity of 80 to 1 60M bytes. A
high capacity tape cartridge provides backup capability.
The system supports asynchronous communications
with terminals and standalone processors, binary
synchronous communications with peer and/or larger
host computers and interfaces to LAN type communi-
cations networks via dedicated 8-bit microprocessor-
based communication controllers.

A major block to achieving the throughput of a
mainframe uniprocessor in a multiprocessor configura-

INTERFACE AGE 91

tion is the interprocessor communications rate. Based
as they are on either broadband, baseband or twisted
pair links, the best LANs and multiprocessor networks
can achieve is perhaps 2M bits-per-second data rates.
Fortunately, optical fiber link technology has advanced
to the point that LANs and multi-microprocessor
networks are possible at 50 to 100 times present
data rates.

One such system is an optical link from Codenell
Technology of Yonkers, NY. It extends asynchronous
data rates from DC up to 1 0OM bits using an advanced
laser technique. Codenell optical links have been
designed, which boost the performance of data
processing and word processing systems supporting
Ethernet. Other vendors active in this area include Optical
Communication, Canoga Data Systems and Valtec.

At Hewlett Packard's Optoelectronic Division in Palo
Alto, CA, a sophisticated fiber optic local area
networking scheme has been developed— called
Anarchy. It is designed to use fiber optic links in
networks consisting of over 100 nodes employing data
transmission rates in excess of 100 Mbits and
spanning distances up to 10 kilometers.

Another obstacle has been the void of operating
systems that work adequately in that environment. While
specific vendors of multiprocessor systems have
developed solutions peculiar to their own processing
environments, general purpose solutions have
been lacking.

For personal computers and multiprocessor systems
operating in the MP/M and CP/M environment. Digital
Research has developed several network oriented

BDOS ERROR

ON B:BAD SECTOR

Before disk errors ruin your work again order BADLIM.

■ BADLIM assures the reliability of your CP/M
computer.

■ You can use your disks 1 times longer without
losing your data AND your time.

■ BADLIM checks thoroughly your disk marking all
the blocks which have defective sectors. The
operating system will know that those sectors
should be skipped.

■ BADLIM is the only program that gives protection
for soft and hard errors.

■ The first time BADLIM will list which files in your
disk are on bad sectors, so you can take action to
correct it.

■ But thereafter the bad areas in your disk will be
automatically by-passed.

■ For CP/M 1 .4 single density and for CP/M 2.xx of
any format and density. It is a must for Winchester
as the media cannot be replaced.

BADLIM cost only $73. Whatever the reason you have

to use a computer you need BADLIM. Contact your

dealer or call us today:

BLAT R&D Corp.. 8016 188th. St SW. Edmonds

WA 98020. Phone: [206] 771-1408 -^ n TNT TXJT

DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED. IjAlJijiM.

92 INTERFACE AGE CIRCLE inquiry no. 12

operating systems: CP/NET and three related systems,
CP/NOS, MP/NET and MP/NOS.

CP/NET allows microcomputers to share and transfer
disk files, to share printers and consoles and to share
programs and data bases. It consists of masters
running on MP/M and slaves running on CP/M. The
masters are hosts that manage the shared resources
that can be accessed by the network slaves.

CP/NOS is a diskless CP/M that can be stored in solid
state ROM— operating with a console, memory and
network Interface. MP/NET is a complete MP/M system
with an embedded network interface. Like CP/NET, It
allows local devices to be re-assigned to the network.
MP/NET configurations allow MPM systems as both
requestors and servers with CP/M requestors. MP/NOS
contains the real time portion (RTM) of MP/M without
local disk facilities. Like CP/NOS, MP/NOS performs all
disk functions through the network.

A unique operating system configuration, MP/M-8/16
by G & G Engineering (San Leandro, CA) Is a proprie-
tary implementation of Digital Research's MP/M-86. It
allows for simultaneous running of both 8- and 16-blt
processors in a multiuser, multiprocessing environment.
The system is used in conjunction with the 8085/8088
CPU board by Godbout (Oakland, CA).

For UNIX systems operating in the multiprocessor
environment, 3Com Corp. of Menio Park, CA, has
developed UNET— a communications software package
that enables UNIX Version 7.0 users to build networks.

UNET offers file, terminal, and mail communication
services— either for direct use from UNIX-based micro-
computers or use from computer programs written to
run on UNIX. By writing programs that call UNET
facilities, use of UNET can be extended to handle the
communication needs of inexperienced users.

UNET also provides these services for UNIX, using
standard vendor-Independent packet internet protocols.
Use of UNET on the 8086, Z8000 and the Motorola
68000 also enable communication with non-UN ET, non-
UNIX computer systems.

Even as multi-microprocessor systems of medium
power become commercially available, research is
continuing in the development of more sophisticated
configurations. Ultimately, many could allow the linking
of thousands of microprocessors into a single
coordinated computing system. These include:

the Relational Associative Processor (RAP) at the
University of Toronoto;

MICROS, a distributed operating system, for use on
Micronet, a reconfigurable multi-microprocessor
network;

DEMOS, a system under development at Great
Britain's National Physical Laboratory;

the X-NET project at the University of California at
Berkeley;

Mu-NET, at the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology;

MP/C, a multiprocess/multicomputer architecture
under development at Princeton University; and,

DIRECT, a multiprocessor organization for
supporting relational data bases under development at
the University of Wisconsin. D

Portions of this three- part series were adapted, by permission, from articles by Michael
Roberts that appeared in MiniMicro Systems, Cahners Publishing Co.. Boston, MA, Oct.
and Nov. 1980.

JUNE 1982

DB masier:

NO. 1 APPLE II BUSINESS

PROGRAM

IN '81

USERS VOTE DB MASTER THEIR OVERWHELMING

CHOICE AMONG BUSINESS PROGRAMS

IN SOFTALK'S SECOND ANNUAL
"MOST POPULAR SOHWARE" POLL.

We're proud to
be selected as the
Number One busi-
ness program introduced in 198L Especially second to none. This commitment to our users
because we were chosen by the people best suited makes DB MASTER everything you need in a data
to know. People who use business programs. We're base management progriam. And more,
proud, but the truth is . . . we're not surprised. jf yo^^j-e not using DB MASTER, you're pro-

Since our introduction a little over a year ago, bably not getting all you could from your data base
DB MASTER has remained the top selling data management program. But don't take our word for
base manager for the Apple II. And for good it. Just ask someone who uses one. Softulk did.
reason. We've continually provided our users with
added power through a series of Utility Paks, and
we've backed up our products with a support staff

Apple II is a registered trademark of Apple Computer. DB MASTER is a registered trademark

of DB MASTER Associates. VisiCalc is a registered trademark of VisiCorp.

TELEX II: 910-384-2016 STONEWARE SRFL

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 71

INTERFACE AGE 93

Software Review

BADLIM

A CP/M Program for
Recovering Data

-^.i-)Ji&^#^^»,iiil,v.i-. »V..-i-:--J,

by Alan R. Miller

You've just put the finishing touches on a new com-
puter program or a lengthy report. As you leave the
editor, the words:

BDOS ERROR ON A: BAD SECTOR

appear on the console. This message indicates that
CP/M was unable to read one of the sectors on the
disk. The problem could be in either the new version or
the old version of your program. It might also be in the
editor or one of its overlay files. Blat Research and
Development (Edmonds, WA) offers a program called
BADLIM that can help with the problem.

Before we look at how BADLIM works, let us first
review the operation of CP/M files. Both floppy disks
and hard disks are partitioned into concentric regions
called tracks. Tracks are further divided Into wedge-
shaped regions called sectors. Any program stored on
disk will occupy one or more sectors. CP/M, however,
groups a number of sectors into a unit called a block,
the smallest disk unit it handles. Block sizes vary from
1 K byte to 1 6K bytes, depending on the disk size.

The first two tracks of a floppy disk (tracks zero and
one) are reserved for the operating system. The
remainder of the disk contains the data. A directory,
giving the location of each block of every file on the
disk is located in the first data block or two, and every
directory entry uses 32 bytes. For example, the first
two directory entries might look like this

GO PAYROLL BAS 0100005F 0102030405060708090A0B0C0D0E00
GO SORT COM GGGGGG1 3 GF1 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

The file named PAYROLL. BAS is shown first. The
initial value of zero indicates that the file was created
by user 0. The second file is named S0RT.COM. The
last 16 bytes of each directory entry show the location

94 INTERFACE AGE

of the file on the disk. Each byte refers to one block. In
the above example, the directory entry PAYROLL.BAS
uses blocks 1 , 2, 3, ... OE hex. SORT. COM uses two
blocks, OF and 10 hex.

If we look at a disk allocation map we might see a
pattern such as this:

11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111
11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111
11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111
11111111 1111111G GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG
GGGGGGGG GG

Each symbol In this table represents one data block on
the disk. A value of unity indicates the block Is in use; a
zero indicates th© block is free.

If we erase the file PAYROLL.BAS, the corresponding
blocks become available. The allocation rtiap might now
look like this:

1GGGGGGG GGGGGGG1 11111111 11111111

11111111 11111111 11111111 11111111

11111111 1111111G GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG

GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG GGGGGGGG

GGGGGGGG OG

In this example, the initial data block, with block
number zero, is reserved for the directory itself.
If we could look at the directory again, we would see

E5 PAYROLL BAS G1GGGG5F G1G2G3G4G5G6G7G8G9GAGBGCGDGEGG
GG SORT COM GGGGGG1 3 GF1 GGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG

Notice that the first byte for the file called PAYROLL.
BAS has been changed from a value of zero to an E5 hex.

JUNE 1982

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To do the same task, ordinary soft-
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Questions? See Series 20 at your
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Condor at (313) 769-3988.

condor

COMPUTER CORPOR ATIOIM

P.O. Box 8318, Ann Arbor, Ml 48107

I want to manage my business data more
effectively immediately. Send the following
at once.

I I Condor Series 20 Manual containing full
information and complete operating
instructions, @ $35.
Condor Series 20-1 software package
which includes database file develop-
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inquiry and report writing operations
@ $295.

(In Mich, add 4% sales tax, in Minn, add
5%, in Calif, add 6%.)
For postage and handling:
In U.S., add $2.00 per system for regular
UPS. International, add $11,50 per system
for Air Printed Matter.
The Condor System requires: Z80 or
8080/8085 microcomputer with at least
ASK operating with CP/M® or CDOS.

Name .
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My Computer is a

Diskette Size 5V4"

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JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 22

INTERFACE AGE 95

This is what happens when a file is erased. However, the
remainder of the directory entry has not been altered, and
the actual data have not been changed.

Each time a sector of data is saved on the disk, a
cyclical redundance check (CRC) is automatically written
into the sector heading. The value is related to the
information contained within the sector. When the
sector is read back, the computer checks the data
against the CRC. If there is a discrepancy, the
information has probably been incorrectly read. The
CP/M system issues a BAD SECTOR error message in
this case.

A large file may be spread over many sectors and
many blocks. A CRC error in only one sector will
generate the BAD SECTOR message. This will make the
entire file unreadable, even though there is a problem
with only one small part of the file.

Problems with electrical failure

Bad sectors can occur if the electricity fails during a
disk operation. The head may strike the surface and
cause physical damage. Alternatively, the power failure
may only cause a magnetic anomaly. In this case, refor-
matting the surface may repair the damage. Of course,
the original information is destroyed during the
formatting step.

Until recently, there wasn't much that could be done
when a BAD SECTOR message appeared. In the case of
a floppy disk, the best approach is to reformat the surface
or discard the diskette. Hard disks, however, are another
matter. They are usually mounted permanently and they
are expensive.

Several programs are now available for dealing with
bad sectors. One such program is Reclaim, Lifeboat
Associates, New York, NY (I A Feb. 81). BADLIM is
similar, but has some interesting new features.

When executed, BADLIM asks for the name of the
drive to be checked. It then asks how many times a bad
sector should be checked. It is possible that a good
sector will be incorrectly read if dirt happens to get In the
way. But the dirt may fall out and not be a problem on the
next try. Consequently, it is common practice to re-read a
sector five to 1 times before a bad sector Is reported.
Nevertheless, a single-read operation is available.

BADLIM then reads each sector of each track in
sequence. It performs its readings directly through the
basic input/output operating system, BIOS, rather than
through the basic disk operating system, BDOS. This
avoids system interruption when the program encounters
a bad sector.

If BADLIM finds a bad sector during testing, the
corresponding block number is reported at that time.
At the test's conclusion, the number of bad blocks, if
any, are reported. More importantly, If any files are
using bad blocks, those file names are displayed on
the console.

When the program finds bad blocks, it constructs a
new directory entry with the file name BSBSBSBS.BSB.
This entry is designated as a system file for user 1 5
and will be nearly invisible. The block map for this entry
will designate the blocks containing bad sectors. For
example, suppose that BADLIM found blocks 17 and 18
hex to be bad. It would create a directory entry such as

15 BSBSBSBSBSB 00000020 171800000000000000000000000000

But suppose that there was also a file called PAYOUT.

96 INTERFACE AGE

BAS using these same blocks. The directory entry
might look like this

00 PAYOUT BAS 01 00005A 1 61 71 81 91 A1 B1 F2021 2223A6A7A800

This file uses 15 blocks, but two of them (blocks 17
and 18) are bad. BADLIM will correctly identify that
PAYOUT. BAS is using the bad blocks.

The best way to correct the problem at this point is
to delete this version of PAYOUT. BAS and copy a new
version from another disk using PIP. The new copy will
only use good blocks since the BADLIM is reserving
the bad blocks for itself. The new directory entry might
look like this

00 PAYOUT BAS 01 00005 A 1 61 91 A1 B1 F2021 2223A6A7A8A9AA00

Notice that the bad blocks 17 and 18 have been
skipped in this directory entry.

A user without a backup copy of a damaged file can
try to copy it into memory with the debugger DDT or
SID. This is done by changing disks, performing a warm
start by typing a control-C, and saving the file with the
CP/M SAVE command. Sometimes a copy is possible
with PIP. In this way, all of the file except for the parts
in bad sectors can be recovered.

BADLIM's power is that once bad blocks have been
isolated, they will not cause trouble again. The
programs not occupying bad blocks on the disk can be
copied to another disk with PIP.

It is useful to run BADLIM frequently— at least once
a day— and always after a power interruption or other
unusual occurrence. If BADLIM is run a second time on
a disk with bad sectors, it reports

FROM PRIOR CHECK BAD SECTOR IN BLOCK:

Thus it does not create additional entries for th e same
bad blocks. More importantly, it does not retest
sectors previously found to be bad. This is especially
useful on a flaky disk that sometimes gives errors.
When BADLIM encounters the entry BSBSBSBS.BSB,
it skips the corresponding blocks and does not test
these blocks again.

RECLAIM isolates bad sectors into a special directory
entry with the name BADSECA.XXX. The name is
designated as a system file in user area 1 5. BADLIM
has been programmed to recognize Lifeboat's name
BADSECA.XXX and will skip over corresponding blocks.

BADLIM makes changes only to the directory and
does not write into the regular data areas. Version 1 .2
will work on any CP/M version 2 since this version of
CP/M contains BDOS and BIOS entries to the disk
parameter tables describing the properties of the
current disk. Those with CP/M version 1 .4 can order a
special version of BADLIM.

At New Mexico Institute of Mining and Metallurgy,
we regularly run six differerit CP/M computers. For
some reason, BAD SECTOR errors appear frequently
on the system disk of one of these computers. We are
able to monitor and correct this problem with BADLIM
since it reports which files use the bad sectors. Another
problem we encounter is frequent power interruption.
When the power is restored, we immediately run
BADLIM to see if a sector was damaged during the
power failure.

A very careful, or very lucky, operator may not need
BADLIM. Most of the rest of us, however, need it
regularly. D

JUNE 1982

5101 DVOM

S'100 DIGITAL VOLT

OHMMETER BOARD

D S-100 COMPATIBLE

D INPUT ATTENUATOR

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D DUAL SLOPE INTEGRATION

D 4 INPUT DEVICE CONTROL LINES

D EXCELLENT DOCUMENTATION
n CONVERSION RATE OF > 10 CPS
D 6 PRECISION CURRENT SOURCES
D 1 1 OUTPUT DEVICE CONTROL LINES
D 26-PIN RIBBON CABLE CONNECTOR

S-100 COMPATIBLE ••• CP/M *programs available
DUAL A/D INPUT RANGES ••• 0-1.999 millivolts or 0-199.9 millivolts
6 PRECISION CURRENT SOURCES ••• calibrated at factory - lOOma, lOma, Ima, lOOua, lOua, lua voltage: 0-5 volts
DUAL SLOPE INTEGRATION ••• provides 0.5% accuracy on voltage readings, 1% accuracy on ohmmeter readings
INPUT ATTENUATOR ••• 1000:1, 100:1, 10:1, 1:1 with 10 megaohm input impedance ,

EXCELLENT DOCUMENTATION ••• including a diagnostics diskette and application notes

Super Tech and Associates is offering the 5101 DVOM as an expansion capability
to any S-100 bus, CP/M* system. It's flexibility allows the user accurate data
acquisition for research and development or implementation into systems designed
for:

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FOR SECURITY ALARM SYSTEMS
The 5101 DVOM is shipped FULLY ASSEMBLED AND TESTED for $575.00, $75.00 for manual only.
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dealer and oem inquiries invited

write or call

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JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 73

INTERFACE AGE 97

Don't Let Interest Rates

Dazzle You

by D. Martin Harrell

Not long ago, borrowing money from a bank was
straightforward: interest rates varied only slightly from
year to year, which meant that any loan officer could
tell a borrower precisely what the probable monthly
payment would be after merely checking a table. The
transaction was relatively simple and quick, and the
bank's formal approval seemed little more than a
routine matter.

Things are different today. Since inflation has taken
its toll, interest rates have skyrocketed. What's more,
these rates now change with bewildering quickness as
banks and other loan institutions respond to current
events. A variety of new types of loans have appeared
and interest rates vary widely, depending upon condi-
tions such as down payment size and repayment period.
By any of their intriguing names, these loans may mean
danger for the unwary. Borrowing money has become a
complex affair, with many variables to consider.

A borrower must deside which of these varied loan
conditions is best for him. (For example, a high interest
second mortgage can actually be cheaper than com-
pletely refinancing at a lower rate.) In dealing with
floating interest rates, he must be able to determine at
what point a rising interest rate might precipitate a
personal financial crisis. And this must be done quickly,
before loan offers expire.

The accompanying program for the TRS-80 model I
or II might help. For many people, the affordability of a
loan boils down to how much they must pay every
month and for how long. The Basic program calculates
and displays monthly payments. It does this in such a
way that the user can readily assess the sensitivity of

Instruction
Key

Meaning

I
Q.
X

Analyze another loan problem
Display Instructions again
Quit, and do something else
EXpand the graphic display

Figure 1. Meaningful one-key commands are

convenient to use and easy to remember.

98 INTERFACE AGE

changes in monthly payments to changes in loan size,
interest rates or payback period. As the user will see,
variations in some conditions can have an enormous
effect on monthly payments, while others have little
effect. Recognizing these conditions might help you
negotiate a more favorable loan.

This program is divided into three parts. The first
displays user instructions, the second allows specifi-
cation (or respecification) of the loan problem and
selection of the item to be varied for sensitivity analysis,
and the third calculates monthly payments and displays
the results in an easily understood manner. The user
can then choose to: (1) examine the results in greater
detail; (2) analyze the loan under another set of
conditions; (3) review the instructions, or (4) exit
the program.

Examining the program reveals that it was designed
with the user in mind. Instructions are concise. Any of
the four commands shown is selected with a single
keystroke and remembering them is not difficult (see
figure 1 ). Not so apparent is the fact that the program
will ignore the input if an operator presses any keys
except those shown. (Of course, keys, such as
BREAK, to which the operating system responds, still
take precedence over those available to the program.)

When the instructions are first displayed, the '1" and
"X" commands are meaningless. "I" merely repeats
instructions. "X" is an instruction to expand nonexistent
graphic display, a process that, at this stage, would
involve an attempt to divide by zero. To prevent this,
the program will actually ignore an **X" keystroke until
the first loan problem has been analyzed. During program
initiation, users will be prompted to select only the two
meaningful commands by the prominently displayed in-
structions shown at the bottom of the screen. This
prompting is absent in subsequent instruction displays,
when all commands are valid. The instruction phase of the
program can be exited only by keying a valid command.

The second part of the program consists of three
sections and begins immediately after issuing an "A"
command. The first task is selecting the problem
variable (which mathemeticians will call the independent
variable). This is followed by specifying values for
the four elements needed to compute monthly loan
payments— total cost of the purchased item or service,
down payment, annual interest rate, and loan repayment
period (in years); finally, the size by which the problem
variable will be incremented (for sensitivity analysis) is
chosen.

The display presented to the user aids in selecting
the problem variable. At the top of the display are
simple instructions, complemented by flashing one of

JUNE 1982

four boxes to the left. By typing "X", the user selects
the element to the right of the flashing box as the
problem variable and ENTER on the keyboard will
move the flashing prompter down to the next box, and
pressing **t" will raise it one box. The program prevents
moving the prompter above the top box or below the
bottom one. The program will ignore all but these three
keys, and users cannot accidentally omit selection
because only typing an ''X" can get them to the next
step. Thus the program is designed to recognize and
ignore input errors (except, perhaps, accidental
selection of an unintended problem variable).

As soon as the problem variable is selected, the
current values of the four elements appear immediately
to the right of their respective titles. Any or all of these
values may be changed or used.

As before, simple instructions appear at the top of
the display, and a flashing box highlights the number
that can be changed at the moment. Typing ENTER
fixes the number and moves the prompter down to the
next number, while typing a "t" moves the prompter
up. These two commands all return to correct numeri-
cal errors. This data updating is terminated only by
typing an "X", which here stands for exit.

The program* will recognize and refuse to accept
most input errors at this stage and only positive
numbers will be accepted. In spite of this, two errors
can still be made; a number with more significant
places than single precision can accommodate will
result in rounding, and a zero value for the payback
period leads to an attempted division by zero. I did not
include corrective measures for the first of these
because, while I doubt that many hobbyists would find
such numbers realistic for personal loans, corporations
might. The absence of such corrective action makes
computation for larger loans possible merely by using a
double precision data declaration.

Zero can be used

I did not attempt to prevent a zero payback period,
because the same subroutines used for numerical
entry at this stage could also be used for entering
increment size at the next stage. There, a zero entry
is acceptable.

"X" provides a dual function at this stage. It fixes the
last highlighted number if ENTER did not immediately
precede it and it causes the program to jump to the
next stage: specification of the increment size for the
chosen problem variable. (The purpose of this incre-
ment will become more apparent when assessment of
the monthly payments is discussed.)

As shown in Figure 2, the display format for specifying
the increment is quite similar to that used before. In
fact, the only difference is that only one number is
available for changing. This means that the prompter
cannot be moved up or down. Other than this, though,
the commands, the revision technique and the error
prevention guards apply. Pressing ''X" this time acts
as before, but it also terminates the loan specification
phase of the program since no terms need to be defined.

Figure 2 shows an example of the data definition
process. There, total cost has been selected as the
problem variable, and values for all four variables have
been entered. The increment size has also been
entered, but not yet fixed.

JUNE 1982

REVISE T>£ irOGGfT IH 1>€ FIASHIMG BC«; IF BESIRQ.
PRESS 'ENTER' TO ENP Dm} ^X' TO END K?/ISICf<.

IfOSJlNT

■

TOTAL COST (1)

^^^ 1^^

DOm M'rWfl (X)

CWTO

ttnXL IKTKST RftTI 00

rma mm (ra*:s)

■■■

Figure 2. Defining the loan

The increment for the problem is typed into the
flashing box, just as before. Typing an ''X" fixes this
value and moves the program into the analysis
display stage.

The last phase of the program begins by calculating
the monthly payment for the specified problem. It is
done using the equation

1 - (1 + i)

-n

P = _ where P = monthly

payment
S = initial sum of

the loan
i = interest rate
n = number of
repayment
periods

In this case, computation to prepare the data is needed
before this formula can be applied. First, the loan
amount must be found by subtracting the down
payment from the cost of the desired item or service.
In addition, the interest rate and number of repayment
periods must be changed from the units used for entry
to a common base. (Recall that annual interest rate and a
repayment period measured in years were used for entry
because we generally think in these terms; however,
computation of monthly payments requires these to be
restated in terms of monthly interest rates and number
of monthly periods.)

The computed results appear only moments after
completing problem specification. A typical example is
shown in figure 3. At the top of the display are the
conditions previously selected for the particular
problem being analyzed. What is displayed in this
heading depends upon which variable is chosen to be
the independent variable and which ones, as a
consequence, remain fixed.

The results appear in tabular form. Eight different
values for the independent variable, separated by the
specified increment, form the left column of the table.
The column heading is an abbreviated form of the title
of the variable.

To the right are corresponding monthly payments
needed to retire the loan in equal installments over the

INTERFACE AGE 99

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 56

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VT132 CRT DECscope 1,995 190 106 72

VT18XAC Personal Computer Option 2.395 230 128 86

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term of the loan. (Just as your bank officer must do,
you must separately calculate the size of the last
payment; it will be close to, but rarely the same as the
others.) These payments appear in two coincident
forms— a horizontal bar followed by the payment in
numerical form. The length of the bar is proportional to
the size of the installment.

With this display, the relative merit of a loan under
the specified conditions can be determined. The pro-
portional bars are particularly helpful in this respect, for
they can be used to determine the sensitivity of the
monthly payments to variations in the independent
variable. For example, if an imaginary line connecting

REPftVKKT SDCUi
la LOMI FOR 28 'iMiS

MifAMim

NCWTHY FT^lfltHT HY ■

1901 960

iie,eBe

129; 066

138, eee
i4e,8n

150; 066

iee,eee
i7e,eee

Figure 3. Monthly loan payments

The display in this photograph shows the monthly
loan payments for the loan defined in figure 2. The
length of the bars help show the effect of variations
in the problem variable, "cost", at the left.

100 INTERFACE AGE circle inquiry no. 78

the right hand ends of these eight bars is straight (as in
figure 3), there is a linear relationship between the
monthly payment and the independent variable— at
least in the region under examination. This means that
equal changes in the independent variable (cost, in this
case) at any two starting values within this region will
produce equal changes in the monthly payment.

On the other hand, the imaginary line sometimes
shows that required payments decrease sharply for
changes in small initial values of the independent
variable (particularly when it is "payback period"), but
rather slowly for equal changes in large initial values. In
this situation, there is a decided advantage to negotiate
forcefully to increase the agreed payback period when
the initially offered period is small; however, this is a
case of diminishing returns.

At this point, users must instruct the computer what
to do next. All four of the instructions shown in figure 1
are valid. Probably the most frequent choice is to enter
an "A" command to respecify any or all of the problem
data to re-examine the loan under different circum-
stances. If this is the case, you must then redefine the

JUNE 1982

independent variable. You may also revise any problem
data that change, but you need not re-enter values that
won't change.

"X" expands the graphics portion of the computed
results to make any curvature of the imaginary line
more discernible. You might consider it a magnifying
window that eliminates all but the ends of the eight
bars. This command is particularly useful when a
situation involving only slight curvature of the imaginary
line is encountered.

Reviewing the program, we will focus more on how it
was written than on the particular problem (loan evalua-
tion) addressed. By doing this, some general guidelines
useful for other programs can be extracted. Specifically,
note that this program was designed for clarity— so
someone other than its author can easily understand
how it works and readily modify it to match another
computer or use; ease-of-use— so both beginners and
experts feel confident in applying it efficiently, and error
avoidance— to eliminate the garbage-in/garbage-out
problem often associated with computers.

At first glance, the program might not look structured,
but it is. The problem lies with Basic, which, unlike
better languages such as PL/1 , was not designed for
structured programming. If the comments imbedded in
the listing are separated from the code and reordered
to show the execution sequence, the structure
becomes more apparent. Also, as an aid, the last digit

of the line numbers of these comments indicates the
subroutine level of the code that follows— at least for
the first encounter. (Note, for example, that the box-
drawing subroutine of lines 243-290 first appears as a
third level subroutine, but then is used extensively at
different levels throughout the program.) These
features, combined with the meaningful variable names
(see comments in listing), should make understanding
this code relatively easy for others.

From a user's viewpoint, simplicity prevails throughout.
Instructions are brief and to the point, appearing
progressively and only when needed. They are sufficient
for a new user, yet they neither detract nor slow an
experienced one. Revising problem data for another
analysis takes but seconds because only changes
need be entered from the keyboard. These changes
are automatically stored properly in memory due to
their positional relationship to the flashing prompter.
The combined result is that the program is as quick and
easy to use as its display is pleasing to the eye.

Finally, the program is designed to avoid inadvertent
errors. It simply refuses to accept most of them when
they are made. It cannot detect numerical errors, but
the probability of these is lessened by allowing familiar
units for data entry, rather than requiring those needed
for computation. Moreover, if such errors are made, it
is an easy matter to back up and correct them.

The result of these considerations is a program that
is quite easy to use. With it, you can determine the
effects that changes in loan size, interest rate and
repayment period will have on monthly loan payments.
This won't necessarily enable you to negotiate a better
loan, but it certainly gives you information that will help.
In this respect, you might even find yourself better
prepared than your loan officers. D

Program on page 154

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one-step compiler for super-fast
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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 49

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 23

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 101

HARDWARE

CPU/Memory 103

Data Communications .103

Input/Output 104

Miscellaneous 106

Peripherals 110

Systems 113

Terminals 114

102 INTERFACE AGE

SOFTWARE

Business 118

Personal 122

Systems 1 23

Utility 124

JUNE 1982

HARDWARE

configurations. Price: $895. Chrislin
Industries, 31352 Via Colinas #102,

CPU/MEMORY

Intelligent disk controller, model 20A, is
designed to control up to two Seagate
interface compatible 51^ -in. disk drives or
their functional equivalents. It is a single
5.75 by 1 1.5-in. PCB designed for physical
compatibility with the Seagate drives and
plug compatible at the host interface level
to DTC 500 series and Omti 10 series
controllers. Disk I/O operation are done via

buffering to support varied host transfer
rates. The controller command set Includes
a multiple sector transfer capability for
reading or writing up to 256 sectors in one
operation, a 512-byte sector option, fast
seek capability for the ST506, and sector
interleaving to optimize host throughput.
Price: $595. Omti, 2165 S. Bascom Ave.,
Campbell, CA 95008, (408) 377-1521.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 220

Bipolar microprocessor slice, Am2901 C,
is an industry-standard 4-bit unit containing
a two-operand, eight-function arithmetic/
logic unit (ALU), a 16 by 4-bit dual-port
random-access memory and shifting logic.
The Am2901C is plug-compatible with its
previous versions. It is the centerpiece for
many other bipolar, IMOX-processed
integrated circuits. Included In the family
are the Am2903 microprocessor, the
Am29203 microprocessor and the
Am29116 microprocessor. Additional
support for the family is provided by a
variety of arithmetic products, micro-
program control products, program control
products, direct-memory access products,
error detection and correction products
and other integrated circuits. Prices:
ceramic, $11.15, plastic, $8.66. Advanced
Micro Devices, 901 Thompson PL,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 732-2400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 221

Memory module, CI-PCM, is designed for
IBM's PC using 64K-blt NMOS dynamic
RAM technology. It requires only one I/O
expansion slot for 256K bytes of memory.
The CI-PCM generates and checks parity
with Interrupt totally IBM compatible. It is
addressable in 64K byte Increments
throughout the 1 M-byte address field of
the IBM system. The memory has an
access time of 225 nS and a cycle time of
400 nS with a total current requirement
of under 1 amp from the system 5-volt
power supply. The CI-PCM is available in
64K-, 128K-, 192K-, and 256K-byte

Westlake Village, CA 91361,
(213)991-2254.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 222

16K/32K-byte RAM board, #H216, adds
16K bytes to an Atari computer system.
After the Atari user has exhausted the
potential of 16K bytes, upgrade to 32K
bytes is easy using the upgrade kit #H212.
This product is of particular interest to
owners of the Atari 400 with 16K bytes,
the Atari 800 with 16K bytes, and the Atari
800 with 32K bytes. Mosaic Electronics,
P.O. Box 748, Oregon City, OR 97045.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 223

Single board central processor,

CPZ-48000, is intended for users requiring
a high degree of versatility and sophisti-
cation to configure systems for applications
ranging from research and development,
business systems and scientific
applications to home computers. It features
Direct Memory Access, Vectored Interrupt
and 16M-byte Memory Management
Processing. Features include: IEEE S-100
bus-compatible; Z80A/4Mhz-based; two
serial I/O ports (one with DMA); two parallel
I/O ports (one with DMA); dual density/
double sided floppy disk controller with
DMA; Direct Memory Access (4 channels;
1 channel for the S-100 bus DMA); 64K
Dynamic RAM, bank-selectable in variable
windows set by software; two or four
Kbyte EPROM with Comprehensive
Monitor; eight-vectored priority Interrupts
plus serial and parallel port interrupts and
others; software selectable baud rates;
memory management unit with addressing
range of up to 16M bytes; on-board timer;
synchronous or asynchronous operation for
SIO channels; CP/M and MP/M Disk
Operating System Compatible; and Turbo-
Disk implementation included. International
Micro Systems Corp., 1 733 S. Douglass
Rd., Suite E, Anaheim, CA 92806,
(714)978-9758.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 224

Interface unit, plug-in Z-Card, allows
Apple III to use CP/M (in conjunction with
SOS). The Z-Card contains its own Z-80A
microprocessor, allowing the Apple to run
virtually any software designed for CP/M-
based microcomputers. It is installed with
no hardware or software modification, and
therefore does not violate the Apple
warranty. Once the card is installed, users
can switch back and forth between CP/M
and DOS or SOS using simple software
commands. Synerglzer Software, the CP/M
operating system delivered with the

Z-Card, includes an enhanced directory
command, format and copy in one pass,
and use of a full 60K bytes of system
RAM. The Z-Card allows Apple owners to
take advantage of CP/M and run many
popular software packages Including
Wordstar, CBasic, VTS/80, Accounting
Plus, and Supercalc. The card is also fully
compatible with ALS's Smerterm
80-column display board and Add-Ram

16K-byte RAM board for the Apple system,
which can further Increase capabilities.
ALS, 1 1 95 E. Arques Ave., Sunnyvale, CA
94086, (408) 727-6805.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 225

DATA COMMUNICATIONS

Data multiplexer, Teltone M-825, is
compatible with standard telephone T1
Digital Carrier transmission systems. It can
also be used in private data networks over
four wire (two twisted pair) circuits. The
multiplexer is designed to accommodate
32, RS-232C compatible, asynchronous,
full duplex data sources, with a maximum
rate of 9600 bps on all ports
simultaneously. The time division
multiplexer is transparent to the user In
both data rate and protocols used, and
allows any data rate on any port from to
9600 bps without modification of port
characteristics (either by switches or by an
external controller). The design also
provides single bit error correction tor

each port. The correction algorithm Is done
independently of any protocols that the
user may be applying to the data. The
architecture of the multiplexer is simple,
allowing greatly reduced circuit complexity
compared to conventional TDMs and
relatively low power consumption. Built-in
transmitter and receiver circuitry, designed
to T1 specifications, eliminates the need
for external line drivers. Data
communications managers can plan a local
network that takes advantage of
multiplexer capabilities to reduce cable

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 103

lease costs and to overcome cable
facilities shortages. Price: $3,200. Teltone
Corp.. Box 657. 10801 120th Ave. N.E..
Kirkland. WA 98033. (206) 827-9626.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 230

Interface device, the OCP-serles Office
Communications Processor, enables
incompatible word processing as well as
other office automation systems to
communicate. The device allows multiple
simultaneous communications, to maintain
full format parity between the sending and
receiving systems and to translate error
correction routines. From an operator's
perspective, the unit serves as a compact,
desktop communications switchboard
whereby dissimilar word processors, data
processors, typesetters, intelligent copier-
printers and other Information handling

systems can be linked together in any
combination by simply punching a few
buttons on the control panel. The technical
tasks of protocol translation, code
conversion and determining transmission
disciplines are performed automatically.
Prices range from $5,995 for the OCP/44
to $7,495 for the OCP/88. The cartridges
containing the software for each device
with which you wish to communicate are
purchased separately at $500 each. G.O.
Graphics. 179 Bedford St., Lexington, MA
02173, (617)861-7757.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 231

Line drivers, LD 21 AS (asynchronous)
and LD 210 SA (synchronous) provide
alternatives to conventional modems In
installations where transmission distances
are short. The LD 210 AS operates at any
speed to 19,200 bps over four-wire
metallic circuits. The circuits may be
telephone company lines or private

facilities. Transmission range Is a function
of wire size and data rate. The unit
presents an RS-232C Interface to terminals
and front-ends and conforms to Bell
publication 43401 requirements on the line
side. It emulates a conventional modem
and may be used in most applications that

104 INTERFACE AGE

do not require the Ring Indicator (Rl)
control signal. The LD 210 SA Is designed
for use with Infotron Supermux 480, 680
and 780 statistical multiplexers and with
the Supermux 790 network. concentrator.
Like the asynchronous model, it operates
full-duplex over four-wire metallic circuits.
Both units Include four front panel status
Indicators, switch selection of RTS/CTS

delay and analog and digital loopback
capabilities. They are packaged In a
compact table top enclosure measuring
only 8.75-in. wide by 2.5-ln. high by 6.5-in.
deep. Prices: $210 (asynchronous) and
$350 (synchronous). Infotron Systems,
Cherry Hill Industrial Center, Cherry Hill, NJ
08003, (609) 424-9400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 232

Synchronous multiplexer, OMX-9608,
provides full-duplex data transmission, on
all eight channels, to speeds up to 19.2K
baud. Data transmission on all channels
can be either asynchronous or
synchronous, programmable from the front
panel keyboard. The operating speed of
each channel can be Independently
programmed at Internally clocked
synchronous mode speeds of 1200, 2400,
4800, 9600 or 19.2K baud, or externally
clocked synchronous or asynchronous
modes, transparent to baud rate. Constant
monitoring of the optical link (data set and
fiber-optic cable) operational status is
provided with both an audio and visual LED
status indicator. Automatic data
transmission shutdown will occur (If the
optical link falls) to prevent loss of data.
Remote loopback testing of data, on a
channel by channel basis. Is provided
under computer control. Local loopback
testing of data Is provided by the front
panel keyboard control on a channel by
channel basis, thus providing simple fault
locating for ease of maintenance and
troubleshooting. The unit Is available In
either a stand-alone or rack-mounted
version. Unit price is $2,700. Phalo/O.S.D.
Corp., 9240 Deering Ave., Chatsworth, CA
91311, (213)998-3177.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 233

Expansion memory cards Increase
capabilities from 64K bytes to 256K bytes.
They come fully socketed for easy user-
upgrading. All cards are fully

assembled, tested and burned-ln. Parity
checking is standard. Prices range from
$495 to $1,145. AST Research, 17925
Sky Park Circle, Suite B, Irvine, CA 92714,
(714) 540-1333.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 234

Modem, HP 8295A series 80, plugs directly
into any of the four ports In the back of

the Hewlett-Packard personal computer
and has two jacks for direct connection to
the phone line and the telephone system.
This configuration offers more noise
Immunity than acoustic couplers, while still
permitting voice communications. The
modem Is Bell 1 03-compatlble with auto-
dial and auto-answer features, and
operates at from 50 to 300 baud. The
software that accompanies the modem
supports all these features, including
automatically logging on, re-dialing, self-
testing, maintaining a phone directory,
setting up configuration files which set
frame parameters (parity, echo, etc.) and
transferring files. These features are all
accessible through soft-key-guided menus.

For example, pressing the dial soft-key, the
user Is prompted for a phone number or
name. If a name Is entered, a search of
mass storage is made and Information
relating to the name Is loaded and
executed. The information may Include the
phone number, the communications
protocol and the log-on sequence required
by the host. Price: $395 (U.S.), including
phone cord, software and owner's manual.
Hewlett Packard, 3000 Hanover St., Palo
Alto. CA 94304, (41 5) 857-1 501 .

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 235

Originate/answer modem, MFJ-1230, is
used like an acoustic coupled modem, but
employs an Innovative inductive coupling
technique for receiving. This gives more
reliable data transfer by eliminating errors
caused by room noise, vibration and a host
of other acoustic coupling problems. This
modem operates 0-300 baud, features half
and full duplex operation and Is crystal-
controlled for very high stability. It provides
TTL and CMOS Inputs/outputs as well as
RS-232 compatibility. This allows easy
interfacing to nearly any computer with
proper software. Also, input/output ports
for a cassette tape recorder lets you save
your transmitted data and load it back to
your computer or retransmit It later. The
black low profile all aluminum cabinet
measures 4 by 1 V2 by 9y2-ln. It is simple
to Install and operate and is compatible
with nearly any standard data terminal or
personal computer. Price: $129.95 plus
$5.00 for shipping and handling. MFJ
Enterprises, 921 Louisville Rd., Starkvllle,
MS 39759, (800) 647-1800.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 237

INPUT/OUTPUT

Expansion board, 5101 DVOM, is for
S-100 bus, CP/M operating systems. It Is
designed to control and interface an

JUNE 1982

MoveUptoTarbell

The Serious Business Machiine

Do you have a small computer system that
operates with mini-floppies and has limited storage
capacity? Then it's time to move up to the Tarbell
Empire Series System. Tarbell starts where small
systems leave off, providing storage from 1 to 20
megabytes. This means Tarbell is capable of
growing right along with your business. (It also
makes sense to start with Tarbell if you're a first-
time computer buyer.)

Tarbell is the serious general purpose business
machine, backed by years of experience with disk
systems. It gives you word processing, inventory
control with bill of materials, mailing lists — all in
addition to accounting applications: general ledger,
payables, receivables, payroll with cost accounting
and order entry. Whatever your need may be,
Tarbell can provide the working software that gets
the job done.

With the Tarbell System you get a Z80 4 Mhz CPU
with memory management, timer and full interrupt
capability, 2 RS-232 serial ports with handshaking,
64 K bytes of random-access memory, double
density floppy disk interface, 2 double density
floppy disk drives, cabinet, power supply, and
cables.

The software includes: CP/M^"" 2.2 disk operating
system, Tarbell Disk BASIC, Tarbell Database
System, and all manuals and documentation.

Tarbell also offers the MP/M'" Multi-User
Operating System and 4 additional RS-232 serial
ports.

The Tarbell Empire Series is delivered assembled,
tested, and with a FULL six-month warranty on
parts and labor.

And when you need even more mass storage,
Tarbell also has a hard disk that's system-
compatible and provides easy back-up.

If your business is growing or you need more than
a few hundred K bytes — it's time to move up to
Tarbell. Call your local Tarbell dealer for
competitive prices.

The One-Stop Shopping Service

950 Dovlen Place, Suite B
Carson, CA 90746
(213) 538-4251

CP/M and MP/M are trademarks of Digital Research

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 74

INTERFACE AGE 105

integrated voltmeter directly to the system
bus, allowing the user to take resistance
and ohmmeter readings and Incorporate
them into a computer information field for
further data information or control. It is
compatible with the S-100 bus, and has
been working in a real time environment
doing automatic test procedures for
pyrotechnic manufacturers. The unit
features 1 1 output device lines, four input
device lines, dual A/D input ranges, four
wire ohmmeter circuit, conversion rate of
10 characters per second, an input
attenuator, six precision current sources,
dual slope integration, and a fully buffered
S-100 interface. Each purchase includes a
diskette containing source listings and a
macro library of basic tasks that will aid the
user in utilizing the information gathered
from the A/D converter. It also includes full
documentation for the board. Super Tech
and Assoc, 15845 N. 22nd PI., Phoenix,
AZ 85022.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 241

IEEE 488 Multibus interface, ZT 85/1 8,
provides the capability of hooking multiple
GPIB compatible instruments, peripherals
and computers to a single I/O slot. A
system equipped in this way can direct the
operation of, and receive data from
attached devices. This Interface can be

used in any Multibus compatible system
including 8086- and 68000-based systems.
Support for the ZT 85/18 Includes
software driver routines, manual, cable and
phone-in consulting service. Price: $595.
Ziatech Corp., 3433 Roberto Ct., San Luis
Obispo, CA 93401, (805) 541-0488.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 242

Applications prototype board, APB,
supports the MC6801 family of
microcomputers. A typical 6801 member
contains an enhanced 6800 processor, 2K

bytes of ROM, 128 bytes of RAM, a 16-bit
programmable timer, parallel I/O, and a
serial communications Interface. In addition
to the resources of the 6801 , the APB
provides an additional 2K bytes of EPROM

106 INTERFACE AGE

(TMS2716), 2K bytes of RAM(2114L), and
a full duplex RS-232 interface. It also
supports special versions such as the
6801 G1 with its Lllbug monitor; and
provides on-board programming of the
68701 EPROM version. The APB comes
with over 50 pages of documentation and
Is available in four different versions.
Prices: $19 - $129. Innovative Technology,
510 Oxford Park, Garland, TX 75043.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 243

Analog-to-dlgltal converter, ADC0833,
is an 8-bit successive approximation with
serial I/O and four channel configurable
multiplexer. Designed to minimize board
space and I/O lines, the unit is suited for
use in a range of applications including the
control of heat pumps, audio turntables
and battery chargers. Conversion time is
80 ^s. The converter features a total
unadjusted error of ±1/2 LSB and ± 1
LSB with no full-scale or zero adjust
required. The device requires low power
for operation— only 15mW— obtained from
a single supply voltage of 5V. An internal
zener diode, however, can provide
regulated power from a higher voltage
source. ADC0833 possesses three inputs:
chip select, clock and data-in, which
defines the multiplexer configuration and
channel assignment and initiates
conversion. All logic inputs and outputs are
compatible with TTL and MOS circuits.
The multiplexer of the ADC0833 Is
controlled with a 4-bit serial input word to
configure the analog inputs three ways: as
four single-ended inputs, two differential
input pairs or a combination of both.
National Semiconductor, 2900
Semiconductor Dr., Santa Clara, CA
95051, (408)737-5000.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 244

Real-time signal processor, AR-40,
makes possible I/O rates in excess of 4
million words per second. The arithmetic
section provides logical and arithmetic
operations (including multiply) at a 4.6 MHz
rate. Address computations are performed
at a 13.8MHz rate in a separate addresser
ALU. That lineup provides 1024-point
complex FFTs in 9.2 mS and second order
filter stages In 2.2 ^s. Coding the AR-40
has been made friendly through its support
by a logical assembly language and a

relocating assembler and cross-linker.
Debugging new code is assisted by AR-
SCAN, a logic analyzer add-on, which lets
you see what's happening Inside the
machine as it crunches away in a real-time
environment. The AR-40 features a full set
of data-dependent operations, flexible
addressing and true ease of programming.
It also has on-board A/D conversion (12

bits at up to 200 KHz) and IEEE-488 or
RS-232 Interfacing. Adams-Russell Digital
Processing DIv., 1370 Main St., Waltham,
MA 02154, (617)891-4700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 245

Serial communications controller,

GPSCC model 1847-plus, allows host-to-
host, host-to-four targets, or host-to-four
terminals communications. The Z-80 based
intelligent module offers four channels of
either asynchronous or bit synchronous
communications. Each channel may be
independently configured in bit
synchronous record mode (SDLC),
asynchronous record mode or
asynchronous character mode. All four
channels have on-board variable size
buffering, on-board or external baud rate
generation, and all four may be operated
simultaneously. When programmed in the

SDLC mode, the 1847-plus transmits and
receives records or SDLC frames. In
asynchronous record mode, records are
separated by user defined record
terminators. In character I/O mode,
characters are sent and received one
character at a time through a character
buffer located anywhere in system
memory.Xycom, 750 North Maple Rd.,
Saline, Ml 48176.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 246

MISCELLANEOUS

Precision laboratory integrator,

Applegrator II, Is designed for commercial
testing laboratories. This microprocessor-
based Instrument features specific
applications software for chromatography,
spectroscopy, colorimetry, and flow
measurement, as well as general-purpose
software for pulse integration and data
acquisition. Professional reporting,
extensive use of video graphics, floppy
disk storage of raw data and results,
interrupt-driven sampling, and thorough
documentation are primary features, the
instrument includes a sixteen channel, high
speed, twelve bit analog-to-dlgltal (A/D)
converter and precision timer. It can
sample waveforms at rates up to 20 Khz
(50 /isec) and store up to 10,000 data
points. While sampling, the Applegrator
also plots the data on the video screen and
computes the true sum and sum of
squares for each channel. After sampling,
data may be reviewed in either expanded
or compressed form. Integrals of selected
portions of the sampled waveform may also
be computed. Peak detection routines
allow reporting of peak heights, width,
areas and retention times (or frequencies).

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE BACK ISSUES

1982

D January - Business Systems

D February - Computer Graphics

D March - Computer User Options/New Products

D April - Business Software

D May - Business/Personal Computing

1981

D January - Buyers Guide

n February - Computer Graphics

a March - OEM/Industrial

D April - New Products/Personal Computing

D May - Business Applications/Micros vs Minis

D June - Computer Languages

n July - New Products Directory

n August - Business Applications

D September - Medical Applications

D October - Education/New Products

D November - High Capability Micros

D December - Future of Computers

1980

D January - Special Function Processors

D February - Home Applications

D March - Communications and the Computer

D April - Robotics

D May - Micro Buyers Guide

D June - Business Computers

D July - New Products Directory

D August - Introduction to Apple 111

D September - Medical Applications

D October - Educational Applications

D November - New Products Directory

n December - The Future of Computers

1979

D March - Music

D April - Robotics

D June - Automated Home

D July - New Products Directory

D August/September - Micros for Handicapped

n October - Hardware Index

D November - New Products Directory

D December - Video Graphics

1978

D February - Medical Applications
D April - Robotics

□ June - Thoughts on the Future
D July - New Products Directory
D August - Games

D September - Education Applications
n October - Hardware Index
D November - Software Index
D December - Book Index

1977

□ February - Micro Stock Options

D March - Hardware/Software Guide

D May - Floppy ROM #1

D June - Bionics

D July - New Products Directory

D August - Astonomy/Astrophysics

D September - Floppy ROM *1

D October - Meteorology/Environment

D November - New Products Directory

1976

n April - Teleprinter Maintenance
D June - Teletype Maintenance
D October - Basic Diet Planning
D November - New Products Directory

Send check or money order payable to: INTERFACE AGE Magazine, P.O. Box 1234 Dept. Bl Cerritos, CA 90701

ALL ISSUES SUBJECT TO AVAILABILITY

U.S./Canada* $3.75 Each
Foreign/Mexico* $5.50 Each

'Must be in US funds drawn on US bank

■ufflfflraM^

^wEnJoSSji

%piliS

.Exp. Date

.Signature

Send back issues checked to:

Nome

City State .

. Address .

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'Due to increased postage costs we ore forced to increase our rotes as reflected above.

Dynamic Solutions Corp., 61 S. Lake Ave.,
Suite 309, Pasadena, C A 911 01 ,
(213)577-2643.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 251

Workstation, Station II, organizes,
simplifies, secures and lets the user
control access to his Apple. The product
makes Apple II and peripherals a single,
Integrated unit. The unit creates an
integrated system that allows the user to
get inside his Apple without unstacking and
restacking peripherals. It also clears the
work station of electrical cords and cables.

computers with printer. Made of black
plastic, measuring 8.5-in. by 16-in. by
2.75-in., each has room for three cassette

report. Choose Write On, Type-On or Pre-
printed (months, alphabetical and numbers
1-31) tabs for frequently used titles.

because Apple, monitor and another peri-
pheral plug into Station ll's built-in power
outlets. One cord and one wall plug power
the system. A line voltage surge sup-
pressor prevents the loss of a program due
to a power surge. Trace Systems, 1928
Old Middlefleld Way, Mountain View, CA
94043. (415)964-3115.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 252

Intelligent desk blotter, the Image Data
Tablet System, provides relatively
untrained staff direct access to the
company computer through handwritten
entries, sketches, drawings and an
alphanumeric touch table for mathematical
problems, calculations, teletype and user-
selectable programming functions. The
VA-ln. thick tablet and its associated
character recognition are useful in a wide
range of industrial and commercial

^■■BPill

^^^

n|!

j^^H

-;£^^

^^^^H

applications. A unique feature is the forms-
handling capability. The system takes any
existing document up to 1 1 .75-in.
square— whatever the layout and including
NCR or multiple copies— and enters it into
a host computer or Its own optional
microprocessor as the form is filled out,
resulting in a hard-copy original identical to
the computer entry. Total Technical
Services, 341 Cobalt Way, Suite 208,
Sunnyvale, CA 94086, (408) 733-521 1 .

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 253

Pocket computer desk console is for

the Sharp PC-1 21 1 and TRS-80 pocket

106 INTERFACE AGE

boxes, a full set of 3-by-5 cards, two paper
rolls, a spare print ribbon and the Interface
cable. Price: $19.95. Fox Walker, 4650
Arrow Hwy., BIdg. G-17, Montclair, CA
91763, (714)621-3400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 254

Graphics upgrade for LAI 20, Decplot, Is
a plug-In electronic module, providing a
precision dot addressable plotting feature
over the entire page, while maintaining the
reliability of the conventional text printing
mode of the DEC LA1 20 terminal printer.
Decplot software is compatible with most
Digital Equipment graphic terminal
products, as well as with Texplot, the
portable graphics terminal based upon
Texas Instruments "Silent 700"
equipment. Only three simple commands,
and none of the ASCII control charcters,
are required for plotting. Therefore, existing
software programs may be modified for
graphics without rewriting systems
software. Decplot is also compatible with
ISSCO's popular Disspla and Tell-a-Graf,
and many computer timesharing services.
Price: $595. Texprint, 8 Blanchard Rd.,
Burlington. MA 01803. (617) 273-3384.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 255

Mobile pedestal file features an anti-tip
fifth wheel base, which prevents tipping
when a loaded drawer is fully opened. The
pedestal can be used under any panel
support, work surface or information

processing station. It is also available
without top or base for mounting under
freestanding desk or table. All file drawers
are full extension and removable. Structural
Concepts Corp., Spring Lake. Ml 49456,
(800) 253-5102.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 256

Computer data tabs are a new way to

index and organize your computer data
printouts. Use with burst and unburst
forms. They are pressure sensitive and
attach to the side or bottom edge of a

Available in convenient 1-in. size with a
color edge for easy identity. Tabbies. 1530
West Glenlake Ave., Itasca, IL 60143.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 257

Adjustable CRT stand, Polyform
Tllt/Swivel Ergonomic Platform, features
variable two dial adjustment that optimizes
the CRT-operator Interface. Offered In
18-in. by 18-in. by 1 .5-in. and 20-in. by
24-in. by 1 .5-ln. sizes, the platform

provides up to 18° bi-axlal tilting to reduce
glare, 360° swivel, 5-in. elevation, and a
250-lb capacity. Price: $175. Polyform
Corp.. 69 Milk St., Westboro, MA 01581.
(617) 366-4161.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 256

Metal print wheels are designed for
compatibility with all Xerox and Diablo
information processing printers. The metal
print wheel spokes are stainless steel.
These spokes are joined to the 88
characters, each of which is made of glass-
reinforced phenolic. Once joined, the

characters are electroplated with nickel, a
process which promotes crisp Impressions
and longer character life. Datamarc metal
print wheels are currently available in three
fonts: Titan 10. Elite 12 and Letter Gothic
12. Price: $37.50. Datamarc, 1251

JUNE 1982

?^'

\ k

ACase For Discrimination.

Discriminating computer users don't want the best known
word processing software. They want the best word processing
software.

Hewlett Packard, for instance, spent 9 months comparing
7 microcomputer word processing software systems —
including the most popular brands — for distribution with the
new HP125 microcomputer.

Hewlett Packard's conclusion: Spellbinder is superior to
every other system evaluated.

The reason? Spellbinder's unrivalled ease-of-use and
superior capabilities. Spellbinder requires fewer keystrokes
for entering and editing text, and provides more flexible print-
ing options without changing the way you enter text.
Spellbinder and an inexpensive microcomputer easily rival
dedicated word processing systems costing up to three times
more.

In addition. Spellbinder offers features for mass mailing
and for professional legal texts. The price also includes forms
handling and "boiler plate" features to store and merge com-
monly used documents, forms, and paragraphs.

Best of all. Spellbinder's lofty capabilities are available at a
very competitive price. In fact, some of the bigger names in
word processing packages demand a much higher price, for a
package with far fewer features.

Hewlett Packard wouldn't settle for less than Spellbinder.
You should be just as discriminating. See your nearest com-
puter dealer for a demonstration of Spellbinder. Or call
Lexisoft at (916) 758-3630.

Qii(2rlnc&

Spellbinder Word Processing
and Office Management System.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 53

A product of Lexisoft, Inc.
Box 267, Davis, CA 956l6 D (9l6) 758-3630

Columbia, Richardson, TX 75081,
(214)783-1691.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 259

5.25-ln. flexible disk media are designed
for use in high density data storage
applications. UHR I floppy disk provides
ultra high-density recording capabilities for
150-200 track per inch (tpi) applications.
The companion VHR I floppy disk is
designed for 96 tpi data storage
applications. Both products are
manufactured using a special spin coating
technique, which is similar to that used for
rigid disk media. The result is a more
consistent dispersion of the magnetic
coating. With UHR I, it allows a much
thinner coating for linear recording
densities as high as 10,000 bits per inch
(bpi). One of the major benefits of spin
coating Is Improved modulation— the
magnetic particles tend to align themselves
with the rotation of the disk during the
coating process. This minimizes read
failures due to bit shift and, in general,
spin coating provides better consistency in
signal handling capabilities. The surface
resistance of the disks is reduced to a
level of less than 50x 10« ohms per
square inch. The high conductivity of the
disk coating tends to simulate that of an
aluminum substrate, discharging static
electricity by using the coating as its own
conducting path. Improved surface
resistance reduces the chance of static
arcing between the read/write head and
the media. Brown Disc Manufacturing,
1015 Garden of the Gods Rd., Colorado
Springs, CO 80907, (303) 593-1015.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 260

Add-on graphics board, Grafyx Solution,
gives any configuration of a TRS-80 model
III computer a resolution of 512-by-192 for
a total of 98,304 individually accessible
points. The graphics package allows you to
set and reset points, lines, rectangles, and
complement or clear the screen using
simple Basic commands such as PLOT and
LINE. Alternate resolutions of 256 by 192,
128 by 192, or 128 by 96 are also
possible. An 80-character display for
business forms and word processing is
possible with the supplied Column80
program. In addition to a number of
instructive demonstration programs, the
board comes with software to save or load

a graphics screen and to send a hi-res
screen to printer with graphics
capabilities. When enabled, the hi-res
graphics screen Is displayed on top of the
normal character display. The Grafyx
Solution is an add-on circuit board, which
contains 12,288 bytes of additional
read/write memory that does not conflict

110 INTERFACE AGE

with the TRS-80 address space. Upgrading
requires no soldering consisting of clipping
on some micro-clips, cutting one trace, and
removing two IC's from sockets. Price:
$299.95. Micro-Labs, 902 Pinecrest,
Richardson, TX 75080, (214) 235-0915.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 261

Stand-alone display system,

Graphwriter, serves those who need to
rapidly develop visual materials for board
and executive meetings, staff gatherings
and other sessions. It takes the numerical
data of the user and converts it into
illustrated displays of information. A
Hewlett-Packard HP 80 microcomputer and
an eight-pen plotter permit a non-technical
operator high-quality business graphics.
Graphic requirements can be specified for
40-standard formats. These Include bar
charts, line graphs, pie and tabular, Gantt
and organization charts. Demographics,
media schedules and market research are
appropriate applications. The programs
lock out all of the keys except those that
can supply valid input at the current step
of preparing a plot. A typical specification
form allows the person making the request
to specify a title of up to three lines, a
three-line footnote, labels for the X-axis
and the Y-axis, scaling factor, data values,
legends, color and hatching pattern.
Graphic Communications, 200 Fifth Ave.,
Waltham, MA 02254, (617) 890-8778.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 262

Standby Power System, model
SPS0200, provides 200 watts of
emergency electrical power at 120 volts
for 20 minutes, and takes over the job of
power supply automatically within one
cycle of power failure. One of the key uses
is in business applications where a line
power failure could cause irretrievable loss
of data in memory and perhaps even
Irreversible damage to magnetic media
should the power failure occur during disk
access. The device contains a continuous
line filter, which traps and eliminates
dangerous spikes in current during normal
usage. The system is plugged into a power

outlet and the computer devices, including
mainframe, terminal and other peripherals,
are plugged into it. As long as the power is
constant Into the SPS, the current passes
through to the computer. However, if
power drops below 102 volts, a sensing
device Immediately switches to output from
its internal battery and a red indicator light
warns the user of the switch. Since most
small computers will not notice a power
failure for approximately 3 cycles, the SPS
inverter will be in action before the
computer knows anything is amiss In the

line power supply. Gould Portable Battery
Div., Box 43140, St. Paul, MN 55164.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 263

Portable, plug-In UPS system. Mini UPS,
is designed to protect small electronic
equipment from potential AC power line
problems. It is available in 400 VA and 750
VA models (60 Hz), and also 300 VA and
600 VA (50 Hz) ratings. Intended for use
with POS terminals, electronic lab monitors

and test devices, microcomputers, and
other digital electronics, the unit contains a
sealed, maintenance-free, lead-acid type
battery. In a blackout situation, the unit
provides up to 20 minutes of regulated
power at full load from battery backup. An
auxiliary battery pack supplies up to 60
minutes of additional regulated emergency
power. It operates from a single-phase 115
VAC input and provides an output voltage
regulated to ± 3% of nominal through
input fluctuations as great as +10 - 20%.
Input frequency fluctuations of up to
±10% of nominal (60 Hz) are tightly
regulated at the output to +0.5 Hz (one-
half cycle). The unit also attenuates
electrical noise and limits output harmonic
distortion to less than 5% total RMS. Sola
Electric, 1717 Busse Rd., Eik Grove
Village, IL 60007, (312) 439-2800.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 264

PERIPHERALS

Winchester controller Interface can

choose drive capacities from 5M bytes to
over 20M bytes, with a choice of 5y4-in.,
8-ln. or 14-in. formats. It adapts STD BUS
backplane signals to the standard disk
controller/transfer protocol supported by
Shugart Assoc, Data Technology Corp.
and other manufacturers of intelligent

Winchester controllers. The I/O mapped
interface includes hardware handshaking,
and allows multiple SB8740s, residing in
separate STD BUS systems, to share a

JUNE 1982

ME0I^iNE OF THE 80'S t

Finally, an established, field-proveih software package for Medical Billing and patient data that really Works.
The Physicians Office Computer software automatically produces all of your statements.insurance fofnis, ledgers/
recall notices, aged-accounts, mailing lists, data searches and a complete selection of managen^ent reports.

Here's what people say about The Physicians Office Computer:

''Completely paid for itself in 4 months with increased collections. It's like adding
10 years of experience to our staff."— Richard Dwyer, M.D., Los Angeles, CA

"This is the cleanest and friendliest software I have seen regardless of applica-
tion in over 25 years in the computer industry."— Glen Keyes, Keyes Management
Systems, Inc., Ashboro, rS.C.

"After more than two years of daily use I can't imagine managing the practice
any other way. It's just wonderful!"— Bertie Hixon, Office Mgr., B.G. Krohn, M.D.
& Assoc, Bellflower, CA

"Dramatically improved our office efficiency . . . Far easier to use than I ever
expected."— Shelly Archuleta, Office Mgr., George Pfaltzgraff, M.D., F.A.C.S.,

Farmington, N.M.

"The easiest installation we've ever made. The most reliable software package
we've seen in micro-computers."- Christopher Gripp, President, Business
Computers, Durango, CO

"The very best User's Manual I have seen. A child could learn from this manual."
—Mike Smith, Business Equipment and Supply Company, Columbus, Miss.

For a demonstration, see your local computer dealer or order a demonstration disk.

Professional Systems Corp., 3858 Carson St., Suite 220, Torrance, CA 90503 (213) 316-5345

n 5V4*' Microp. D S'A'' Tandon D 8" Double Density
D 8" Single Density D 31A Data Cartridge (add $22.00)

NAME: n Information on Modules and pricing

n Manual(s) @ $65.00
ADDRESS:^ __ . ^ Demonstration Kit @ $295.00

CITY, STATE, ZIP:_ ^ D CBASIC2 @ ° $ 1 1 9.00

DEALER INQUIRIES INVITED

The Physicians Office Computer software runs on most CP/M* systems with CBASIC2* and 56K RAM with a

132 column printer (hard disk recommended).

Pre-paid or COD. CA residents add 6' sales tax. Shipping extra. *CP/M and CBASIC2 are registered trade-marks of Digital Research, Inc.

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 67

INTERFACE AGE 1 1 1

common set of drives and controller. The
SB8740 can be operated In programmed
I/O or Interrupt driven modes for minimum
cost systems. Price: $150. Micro/Sys,
1367 Foothill Blvd., La Canada. CA 91011,
(213) 790-7267.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 271

Diskette drive, model SA200, is a low-
profile, low-cost mini-floppy disk drive to
such application as personal computers,
memory typewriters, word processors,
terminals and printers. Features include:
2.05-in. high by 5.75-in. wide by 8-ln.
deep; weighs 3 pounds; has low heat

cabinets, and utilizes the standard Shugart-
compatible Interface for 8-in. CP/M disks.

dissipation; includes single and double
density capabilities and hard or soft sector
capacities. Positive media insertion is
included to keep door from closing on
media. Shugart Associates, 475 Oakmead
Parkway, Sunnyvale, CA 94086,
(408)733-0100.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 272

Parallel Switch Box, the GIS P-36, allows
the sharing of popular parallel printers
(Epson and Centronics) between two
microcomputers. The primary application Is
in the sharing of an Epson or Centronics
parallel printer and two IBM Personal
Computers. The unit utilizes a printed
circuit board, eliminating hand wiring, and
comes with a 5-year warranty. Price: $149.
General Interface Systems, 352 S. Hartz
Ave., Danville, CA 94526, (415) 838-2683.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 273

Add-in Winchester disk system requires
no external chassis and can be installed
directly in the floppy disk area of the IBM
computer. The system offers storage
capacities of 6, 12, or 18M bytes per
drive. The system's single-board
Winchester disk controller supports up to
four Winchester drives and is buffered with
automatic error correction. The system
Includes software, controller, disk drive,
and documentation. Price: $2,995. for the
6M-byte version, $3,495. for the 12M-byte
version, and $4,195. for the 18M-byte
version. Datamac Computer Systems, 680
Almanor Ave., Sunnyvale, CA 94086,
(408) 735-0323.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 274

8-in. disk drive subsystem, CMS

1600-4, utilizes four Tandon Thinllne
DS/DD 8-ln. drives. These drives are only
one-half the thickness of standard drives,
so the entire unit occupies the same space
as a standard two-drive cabinet. Storage
capacity is 4.8M bytes, suitable for many
business and word processing applications.
The subsystem includes power supply,
cables and choice of metal or wood trim

11 2 INTERFACE AGE

Price: $2,995. Columbia Microsystems,
905 E. Broadway, Columbia, MO 65201 ,
(314)875-8900.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 275

XCOMP Winchester hard disk
subsystem. Personal Hard Disk, is for the
IBM Personal Computer. It has a capacity
of 5M bytes or 1 0M bytes. It Is packaged
In a table top enclosure of 14.5-in. L by
8.55W by 4.5H. The enclosure contains
the Winchester drive, XCOMP ST/R
controller, power supply, and a four foot
ribbon cable to the IBM computer chassis.

Jlillilllllll

The AC power on the enclosure is
selectable from 110V AC to 220VAC for
50/60HZ. Support software including I/O
drivers and diagnostics is provided on
5.25-ln. diskettes. Price: $3,495. for the
5M-byte subsystem, and $3,995. for the
lOM-byte subsystem. XCOMP, 7566 Trade
St., San Diego, CA 92121,
(714)271-8730.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 276

Double-density floppy disk subsystem,

Bering 2895, is hardware-, software-, and
media-compatible with the Hewlett-Packard
9895A. It connects to the HP-IB (GPIB),

3000, 1000, 9800 series, HP 125, and
85/83. This storage capacity may be
expanded to 4.72M bytes with the addition
of a dual-drive slave unit. The 2895 Is
transparent to all HP operating systems
and application software supporting the HP
9395A. In addition to reading and writing
all HP double-density formats, the 2895
reads and writes the full range of IBM
single- and double-density flexible disk
formats. This facilitates the exchange of
data and programs with other mini and
microcomputer systems. Other features
include an 8085/2900 microprocessor-
based controller, automatic power down,
built-in diagnostics, and the ability to
format and duplicate diskettes
independently of the host computer. Price:
$4,660. Bering Industries, 747 East
Brokaw Rd., San Jose, CA 951 12,
(408) 298-8552.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 277

RS-232 minifloppy storage device,

MinlMate III, provides up to 408K bytes of
storage on a single-slded diskette.
Operation Is code switchable 7-bit ASCII or
8-blt binary. Binary operation provides for
storing 8 bit program codes for
microprocessors and machine tool
applications, allowing punched paper tape
units to be replaced with 5Vi-in. diskettes.
In addition, the MinlMate III includes File

adding 2.36M bytes of immediate storage
capacity to most HP mini, desktop and
personal computers, including the HP

Management System, and automatic and
manual controls for stand alone
applications. Other features include: Dual
RS-232 ports for easy insertion between
terminal and modem; dual baud rates and
answerback message; X-on, X-off code
response; power up restart in case of AC
power failure. Western Telematic, 2435 S.
Anne St., Santa Ana, CA 92704,
(714)979-0363.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 276

Dot matrix printer, Pro-Writer, is the
newest member of the C.ITOH family,
includes 120 cps bidirectional printing,
logic seeking and proportional spacing.
Graphics capability Is built-in and Includes
shape and high resolution features. It has a
1 K-byte buffer in parallel and 3K-byte
buffer In serial, increment printing ability,
N by 9 dot matrix, and Its correspondence
by 9 dot matrix, and its correspondence
quality print in eight character sizes. It has
a built-in tractor feed and will accept
single-sheet feed. Paper cut-off is less
than one inch from the print line. Manual
functions include select, line feed, top of
form and power-on, combined with paper
empty and cover open switches. Pro-Writer
is available in either parallel or serial (RS-
232-C) interface. The serial version
actually includes both the parallel and
serial Interfaces. The model also includes

JUNE 1982

X-On and X-Off features. Prices: parallel
model, $795, serial version, $845. Leading
Edge Products, 225 Turnpike St., Canton,
MA 02021, (800) 343-6833.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 279

Bar code reader/decoder, CYC-48, can
be plugged between a computer and a
terminal, or alone on an RS-232 cable at
9600. 4800, 1200, or 300 baud. By a
pass of the wand, existing programs can
now receive data as if from a keyboard.
The bar code is verified, decoded and sent
to the computer as ASCII characters. The
optional voice output can be used to
verbalize both the scanned data and

replies from the computer. The CYC-48
can also be configured to read most bar
code formats including Code 39, UPC,
Paperbytes. Current applications of bar
code technology include manufacturing
parts tracking, inventory control and library
systems. Price: $650. New Wave Systems,
12123 Washington PL, Mar Vista, CA
90066. (213) 475-8545.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 260

SYSTEMS

Personal computer, Franklin Ace 100, is
hardware and software compatible with the
Apple II. It has 64K bytes of RAM. It has a
full upper and lower-case keyboard and
character generator. The keyboard
includes a twelve-key numeric pad. an
alpha shift lock key and special keys with
Visicalc designations. All programs written
for the Apple II will run without

modification. Including those using high
and low resolution black and white
graphics. All peripherals designed for the
Apple II will operate with the Ace 100. A
fully-compatible 5Vi-in. disk drive is also
available. Price: $1,595. Franklin Computer
Corp., 7030 Colonial Highway,
Pennsauken. NJ 08109. (609) 488-1700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 293

JUNE 1982

Hard disk systems, Eagle IV and V.
combine hard disk memory in a single
enclosure with the CPU. 12-ln. CRT
screen, floppy disk drive, keyboard and
numeric keypad. The Eagle IV offers 7.5M
bytes of integral formatted storage on a
hard disk and the Eagle V provides 1 5M
bytes of formatted hard disk storage. The
computer systems include Spellbinder
word processing software and the
Accounting Plus package, at $8,995. for
the Eagle IV and $9,995. for the Eagle V.
Eagle Computer, 501 A Vandell Way,
Campbell. CA 95008.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 294

68000-based single board system. Sage
II, contains between 128 and 512K bytes
of parity RAM memory and up to 1.3M

bytes of 5% -in. floppy disk storage. It is
able to execute two million register-to-

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 43

INTERFACE AGE 113

communications, the system contains two
RS-232C serial ports, one Centronics-
compatible parallel port and an IEEE-488
interface. An interrupt-driven version of the
UCSD operation system from Softech
Microsystems is available. Languages
supported are Pascal, Basic, Fortran and
assembler. Prices range from
$3,600. -$6,000., depending upon disk and
RAM configuration. The UCSD operating
system is $400. extra. Sage Computer
Technology, 195 N. Edison Way, Suite 14,
Reno, NV 89502, (702) 322-6868.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 295

6MHz computer system, Super Cadet,
uses a Zilog Z80B 6MHz CPU and 150 NS
RAM memory. It features 64K RAM chips,
allowing 256K bytes of memory in a small
4-in. by 4-in. matrix. The memory power
consumption and component count are
reduced to increase reliability. Super Cadet
memory can bank switch within any 4K
block and the bank sizes can be varied at
the flick of a switch. The system utilizes

manual with hardware descriptions,
schematics, programming examples and
user experiments. A 9V, 500mA power
supply adapter is included to connect the

single board construction, but can be
expanded to include 10 I/O ports (9 ports
for users and one for a printer), large SMD
disk drives, and reel-to-reel or cartridge
tape. It is completely vectored interrupt
driven. All serial ports and disk controllers
have interrupts available. The system uses
an intelligent disk buffer rather than a DMA
interface. This disk buffer allows CPU
processing during disk operations. DMA
circuitry requires that the CPU be inactive
during disk I/O. Furthermore, the Zilog
DMA chip will not handle the high-speed
data I/O from the SMD disk. The SMD hard
disk controller supports larger disk drives.
The system is available in either a desk top
or rack mounted unit. Price: $5,595.
IBC/lntegrated Business Computers,
21592 Marilla St., Chatsworth, CA 91311,
(213)882-9007.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 296

Z80-based educational tool, Micro-
Professor, is a single-board microcomputer
packaged in a book-size case. It has 2K
bytes of RAM, expandable to 4K, and 2K
bytes of ROM. ROM is expandable to 8K.
It is compatible with Z-80, 8080 and 8085
machine code, allowing the user to
prototype, breadboard and design custom
hardware and software applications. It has
a built-in 6-digit, 0.5-in. LED display and a
36-key keyboard with 1 9 function keys, 1 6
hex-digit keys and 1 user-defined key. A
3.5 by 1 .3-in. wire-wrap area is provided
for user breadboarding, and cable
connectors allow expansion of both the
CPU and I/O bus. The board also has a
built-in speaker and cassette tape
interface. The kit includes a self-teaching

114 INTERFACE AGE

system directly to 120V AC outlets. Price:
$149. Multitech Electronics, 195 W. El
Camino Real, Sunnyvale, CA 94086,
(408) 773-8400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 297

Self-programming system, Dimension
One, is driven by a single, all-purpose,
multi-application program that resides in
32K bytes of main memory. The program is
made up of a group of pre-coded assembly
language functions that will execute
virtually every known business application.
The user does not have to translate codes
or symbols because the system
communicates in non-technical terms. The
system features a built-in user's prompting
technique. To execute a function, a user
fills out a series of specially-designed input
specification forms. Sixteen forms
encompass the entire range of Dimension
One capabilities, but generally only five to
ten forms are required for any application.
The specifications from these forms are
then entered into the system using a video
display terminal and are stored as a "link
table" in a designated terminal work area
or partition on disk. This link table is
actually generated by a special PRO
algorithm that selects and links all the
necessary routines from the library in the
proper sequence. Since the multi-
application program instructions are in
assembly language and are used directly,
no assemblies, compiles or interpretative
routines are needed. The system can
accommodate up to 32 terminals with up
to 1 M byte of main memory and 300M
bytes of disk storage. A Data Streamer is
incorporated for file backup. Optional
printers include 150 1pm, 300 1pm, and
600 1pm. Capro, 12781 Pala Dr., Garden
Grove, CA 92641 .

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 296

Small business computers, models 310
and 71 0, have been added to the MAI
product line. The Basic Four system 310,
in its minimum configuration, consists of
96K bytes memory, 40M bytes fixed
Winchester disk storage, one 150 LPM
printer, one 1600bpi magnetic tape drive
and two video display terminals. The
maximum configuration offers 256K bytes
memory, 1 20M-byte disk capacity, two 600
LPM printers, 16 VDTs and up to four
multifunctional display terminals (MDTs) for
word processing. The 710 replaces both
the 610 and the 730 models. In its
minimum configuration, the new model
consists of 96K bytes memory, two

35M-byte removable disk drives, one VDT
and a 300 LPM printer. The maximum
configuration features 512K bytes memory,
600M bytes disk capacity, 32 VDTs, four
MDTs and two parallel printers. Prices:
system 310, $55,900. 710. $69,100. MAI
Basic Four Information Systems Div., Box
C-1 1 921 , Santa Ana, CA 9271 1 ,
(714)731-5100.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 299

System for Industrial applications,

DIS-1 , also functions as a development
system, with floppy disks, CRT monitor,
wide expansion options, software and
multi-languages. It combines in one
enclosure a 6502-based Aim 65
microcomputer with full keyboard, printer
and display, 64K bytes dynamic memory,
CRT and floppy disk controller modules, a
PROM programmer and power supply, plus
two double-density floppy disk drives and a
12-in. CRT monitor. All required software,
including Basic or Forth language, is
included in the integrated
hardware/software system. As an industrial

microcomputer system, the unit can be
customized for specific applications with
any of hundreds of off-the-shelf modules
available from many manufacturers. Other
expansion modules, such as IEEE-488
controller, ACIA for RS-232 applications,
solid-state relay modules, clock and
calendar, CMOS memory with battery back-
up, are available. DIS-1 systems can be
configured to accept up to ten additional
modules (six Eurocard and four Exerciser
size). Final custom configurations are
available from the company or can be
designed by the user. Available languages
include Forth, Basic, Assembler and PL/65.
The DIS-1 enclosure will also allow use of
Rockwell's Aim 65/40 microcomputer in
place of the Aim 65. Price: $4,950.
Dynatem Inc., 20881 Paseo Olma, El Toro,
CA 92630.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 300

TERMINALS

Video display terminal, AJ 520, is
designed for user comfort in the
timesharing and in-house shared computer
market. It can be used for such
applications as financial analysis, inventory
control, personnel records, data entry and
inquiry and retrieval. The terminal features
a detached typewriter-style keyboard with
contoured keytops and adjustable audible
*'click". There is a separate 17-key
numeric keypad for rapid touch entry of
figures. The N-key rollover feature lets

JUNE 1982

GOTCHA COVERED

If you're looking for computer terminal desks
and work stations, CF&A has "gotcha cov-
ered". Not with just a desk or two, but with a full
line of modular, integrated computer furniture.
From our 24" x 26" Classic Series terminal
stand to our 72" x 32" DR Series console with
left or right-mounted twin RETMA
enclosures... and everything in between. Like
Microshelves, Datashelves, Apple or IBM
desks, printer stands, media stands, turn-
tables, returns, drawers, doors, color
selections. . .the list goes on and on. You also
get durable construction, competitive prices.

quick delivery, and friendly service. Call or
write for more information. We're the straight
shooters. We're Computer Furniture and
Accessories. We've "gotcha covered".

CFA

Computer Furniture and Accessories, Inc.
515 West 132nd Street
Gardena, CA 90248
(213)327-7710

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 18

INTERFACE AGE 115

operators enter data rapidly without fear of
locking the keyboard or jamming entries.
The full 15-in. non-glare screen allows
extra large character display— even in
132-column mode, the displayed characters
are up to 50% larger than those of most
80-column displays. Brightness/contrast
controls, screen tilt adjustment, and six
video attributes make even complicated
text easy to read. There are 1 2

programmable function keys for performing
multi-step operations such as sign-on/off,
system status, display directory or other
frequently used programs. Programming is
simple, and may be accomplished by the
user from the keyboard or from the host
computer. The unit includes 5K bytes of
RAM memory. Anderson Jacobson, 521
Charcot Ave., San Jose, CA 95131, (408)
286-7960, ext. 2602.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 304

Editing display terminal, the Tab

132/15, features a 15-in., non-glare, high
resolution screen, 132-column format, 7 by
1 1 dot matrix characters in a 9 x 14 cell,
screen-labeled soft keys and English
language prompts for set up and operation
modes. The unit is designed specifically
for the operator. English (or other)

language prompts lead him through set up
and operation modes. There is no need to
learn computer terminology or to refer to
detailed manual instructions. Price:
$2,100. Tab Products, 1451 California
Ave., Palo Alto, CA 94304,
(415)858-2500.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 305

Portable data entry terminal, Alpha-
Tone, with alpha-numeric capability and
memory transmits Touch-Tone signals. The
Alpha-Tone features 44 keys and 100
characters of storage capacity, user
programmable for data, telephone
numbers, product codes, etc. Stored data
may be recalled and transmitted as
needed. Typical applications include
remote data and order entry. The unit is

handset and is compatible with all Touch-
Tone activated, tone, and voice response
systems. Price: $225. Interface
Technology, 10500 Kahlmeyer Dr., St.
Louis, MO 63132, (314) 426-6880.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 306

Color Display Station, Telex 279, is a
four-color, plug-compatible replacement to
IBM's 3279/2A keyboard display. Unlike
other 3270 color displays, the 279
requires no controller or system changes
for displaying alphanumeric data with
colored fields. The unit offers many
performance characteristics of the 278
plug-compatible keyboard display station.
Key features are an easy-to-read non-glare,
smear-resistant screen; moveable
keyboards with convenient single key clear
and program function keys; and optional
display performance features, which include

a row and column indicator, keystroke
counter, and response time indicator. The
color 279 display will intermix with
monochromatic Telex 278 displays or IBM
3278 displays in the same cluster. The
279 cabinet is identical to the 278 cabinet.
An operator-selectable switch enables the
display to be operated in a two-color mode
as a Telex 278 or IBM 3278 equivalent.
Fields in this mode are displayed in green
for normal intensity and white for high
intensity. Price: $3,500. Telex, 6422 E.
41st St., Tulsa, OK 74135,
(918)627-1111.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 307

Graphics boards, SG101 and SG201, are
designed specifically to enhance C. Itoh
Electronics CIT-101 with full-feature
interactive graphics capabilities. Both
boards provide 1 225-by-240 dot resolution
on the CRT. The CIT-101 is a versatile,
multifunction display terminal that can be
interfaced with a variety of computer
systems and is directly interchangeable
with Digital Equipment Corporation's

VT100 terminal. The graphics boards allow
the terminal to retain all of its original
capabilities without alteration, while new
commands are added to provide graphics

capabilities. Both models can be field-
installed into the terminal in five to ten
minutes, simply by mounting the board in
the existing card cage of the terminal and
connecting three cables. Both models are
priced in the $1,500 range. Selanar Corp.,
437-A Aldo Ave., Santa Clara, CA 95050,
(408) 727-2811.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 306

Multiport communications terminal,

model 7700, is designed to concurrently
prepare, transmit and receive messages via
TWX, TLX, DDD and PTL protocols. The
unit's features allow it to replace multiple
existing terminals, reduce the effort of
message preparation, simplify the process
of message transmission and reception,
and report on the status of communication
activity. The unit includes an operator-
friendly message editor, which
incorporates a complete set of text
manipulation facilities, reducing the time
and effort involved in message preparation.
The message editor includes such
automatic features as word wrap,
paragraph formatting, screen scroll, text
insertion/deletion and search forward/

backward. Dialing, answerback verification,
and transmission are automatically
performed in the background, while new
messages are prepared on the CRT
screen. The CRT screen displays
characters in a 7-by-9 dot matrix, using a
25 line-by-64 column format. The unit is
configured with up to 80K bytes of
memory and an integrated diskette is
provided for additional message storage.
Also included with the basic unit is a dot
matrix impact printer with a 30 cps
minimum print speed. The unit, when
configured with a TWX port and a TLX
port, is priced at $7,550. Carterfone
Communications Corp., 1111 West

116 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

opei

compier erroi^^ feet?

As they walk and move about,
your operators build up a static
charge.

Just by taking a couple steps
across the floor in a well air-
conditioned roonn, they can
generate 5,000 volts or nnore.

Or, in the wintertinne, 1 0,000
volts or more.

Static can also be generated
just by sitting down in a chair.

And if the operator's next move
is to touch one of your termi-
nals, the result can be a blank
screen, erratic data,
spewing paper,
or an altered
memory.

Another result
can be
annoyed
customers.

3M Static Control Floor Mats create
an island of protection.

But, for less than the cost of a
single service call, you can
effectively control static at
every terminal, every
word processor and
microprocessor- r-jgr
based unit. ^ ^iH^j

With 3M static
Control Mats, you
keep static from
coming between
you and your
customers.

3M Static Control Floor Mats
and Runners create inexpen-
sive islands and pathways of
protection around and be-
tween sensitive areas. Static,
charges drain harmlessly from
operators and other personnel
as they walk, stand or sit.

Available in a choice of colors,
and in many sizes, 3M Static
Control Mats are carefully
engineered for performance,
comfort, durability, ease of

cleaning and safety. For standing
and sitting applications.

Send the coupon for a free
catalog and more information.

Send coupon to: Data Record-
ing Products Division/3M,
223-5N, 3M Center, St. Paul,
MN 55144. Or, if you've
already put up with static
problems too long, call
this toll-free number for
the name of a distributor J
or dealer near you:
1-800-328-1300.

Free catalog shows 3M's complete
selection of mats and runners.

I 3M: Please send free catalog and other information on |
Static Control Mats and Runners. .

I NAME I

COMPANY
ADDRESS _

CITY, STATE, ZIP

I Mail to: Data Recording Products Division/SM,

223-5N. 3U Center,
I St. Paul, MN 55144 |

3M Hears You . . .

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 56

INTERFACE AGE 117

Mockingbird Ln., Suite 1400, Dallas, TX
75247. (214) 630-9700.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 309

Programmer Workstation, Programate
1000, provides cost-effective preparation
and updating of documentation for
computer programs and systems. By
combining interactive graphic and text
processing, the workstation permits the
single keystroke entry and editing of all the
symbols typically used to prepare
documentation, such as system structure
charts and flow diagrams. The system is
intended primarily as a standalone
documentation station, but it can also be
an intelligent terminal connected to a host
computer for editing downloaded source
code. In the latter mode, system
maintenance and documentation
maintenance can both be accomplished at
the same sitting. The complete turnkey
system, including 15-in., 132-column by
40-line graphic display, dual 8-in. floppy
disk drive, 124-button keyboard, high

speed printer for both high quality graphics
and text, and software, is priced under
$20,000. GWP Corp., 196 Broadway,
Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 864-7710.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 310

Computer terminal, model D314, is IBM
3275-2-compatible. In addition to IBM's
standard features, the compact unit
includes a 25th status line, interface
capability with low cost serial printers, and
daisy chain interface, which permits
several terminals to be connected in multi-
drop for communications cost savings. The
unit also has the capability of functioning
as an IBM 3271 with one 3277 display and
keyboard. The terminal supports standard
3270 screen attributes and its standard
printer port functions exactly as IBM's.
The terminal features a full typewriter
keyboard, separate numeric keypad,
program function keys and cursor control
pad. Informer, Inc., Box 91054, Los
Angeles, CA 90009, (213) 649-2030.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 311

Portable terminal, Infone, can send and
receive data from timesharing computers
or personal computers with Bell-103
compatible modems. Each unit has an LSI
modem, allowing direct connection to the
dial-up network for data calls. Files can be
created and stored, then transmitted at a
preprogrammed time to reduce
communication costs. It can automatically
"wake up" to answer a call, record data,
and text and store it for later use.
Peripherals that can be attached to the
unit include: a standard tape cassette
recorder, a 40-column thermal printer, an

external speaker, and a folding acoustic
modem adapter for pay phones in
situations where a modular telephone jack
is not available. Price: $1,150. Novation,
18664 Oxnard St., Tarzana, CA 91356,
(213) 996-5060.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 312

SOFTWARE

BUSINESS

Mailing system. Postscript, is designed
to run under the CP/M and MP/M operating
systems. It is written in CBasic II and will
run on any CP/M or MP/M environment
with 48K bytes of RAM and sufficient
auxiliary storage to maintain the mailing
lists. It is designed as an all-purpose
system for the support of general mailing
needs. It has several unique features that
allow the user options not available on
many other mailing systems. It can do both
envelopes and labels, selects on nine
fields and sorts on six, and uses a
customer ID code compatible with most
existing client codes. In addition, it
interfaces with Wordstar and Magic Wand
word processing systems and is designed
to be easily modified to interface with
popular accounting packages. Price: $245.
JBA, Inc. is the primary distributor for the
product's manufacturer. Falcon Software
Systems. JBA, 23101 Moulton Dr., Suite
208, Laguna Hills, CA 92653,
(714)855-0135.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 316

Personal banking system, the Money
Maestro, runs under the CP/M operating
system supplied with each Osborne 1
computer. Money Maestro has built the
facilities for Electronic Funds Transfer
(EFT) and awaits the implementation from
the banks to allow personal computers to
perform most banking functions via the
telephone network. The system comes
with a modifiable built-in category list.
Errors are corrected by first prompting the
user with possible correct responses,
followed by extensive help messages.
Money Maestro enables financial record
keeping, reporting and management. Based
on straightforward cash accounting, this
system will generate and print checks and
keep the checkregister, as well as
recording transactions made in cash or by
charge card. As payments are made and
deposits recorded, they may be assigned
to pre-specified categories of expense and
income. Each category may have
associated with it a budgetary amount for
each month, and the system will provide
gentle reminders at the time of paying a bill
that puts the user over budget. Extensive
comparisons of budget to actual amounts
for the month-to-date and year-to-date. A
stockpiling feature provides storage of
recurring transactions such as loan and
insurance payments. A review of these
stockpiled transactions may be made prior
to payment and partial payments are easily
handled. Silverman Asociates, 2405 4th
St., Berkely, CA 94710, (415) 644-2954.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 319

Dictionary Software, Microproof, is
available on five CP/M formats: Osborne,
Apple, Superbrain, Omkron, and standard
IBM 8-in. formatted disks. Microproof
checks word processed documents for
spelling errors using a 50,000 word
dictionary. The dictionary occupies only a
third of a double density 5-in. disk;
additional words can be added. An optional
correction feature is available allowing
corrections to be made within the text
without returning to the word processing
program. Price: $149 (also available for
TRS-80 and Apple II at $69.50). Optional
correction feature: $60. Cornucopia
Software, 1625 Beverly PI., Berkely,
CA 94707.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 320

Spelling correction program,

Spellmaster, allows context editing without
exiting the program. It examines any text
file and compares each word to a
comprehensive set of spelling dictionaries.
When locating a spelling not in one of the
dictionaries, the program displays the
questionable word, its context, and an
educated guess as to proper spelling. The
user may then accept the original spelling,
use the guess, edit the word and/or
context, or request the program to make
another guess. The program's disk-resident
master dictionary contains over 100,000
words. All words are checked against the
dictionary— including possessive forms. A
hyphen at the end of a line is also
distinguished from one in the middle of a
hyphenated word and handled accordingly.
Each word is checked in the sequence in
which it appears in the source document.
Spellmaster keeps a 15,000-word subset
of the master dictionary in the computer's
RAM memory. This internal dictionary
contains the most commonly used English
words. Words unique to the user's
profession can also be added to the
internal dictionary. All commands are single
keystrokes selected from a one-line menu
displayed across the top of the terminal's
screen. The overall set of menus is
organized in a tree structure such that a
new menu is displayed in response to each
command. The Spellmaster package is
available on 5-in. diskette (model SPMR-S)
or 8-in. diskette (model SPMR-L). Price:
$295. Cromemco, 280 Bernardo Ave.,
Mountain View, CA 94043,
(415)964-7400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 321

Hardisk accounting series is written in
USCD Pascal. The program can run on
Apple II and III, with a Corvus or Profile
hardisk, on IBM's Personal Computers and
most other microcomputers. The menu-
driven, double entry accounting system
features interactive modules, complete
audit trails, extensive data prompts and
error checking. Great Plains Software, 123
N. 15th St., Fargo, ND 58102,
(701)293-8483.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 322

Income tax planning program, Shortax,
computes income and social security taxes
of individuals, trusts or corporations for six
tax years. It can determine regular Income
tax, tax using income averaging, 50%
maximum tax on earned income, add-on
minimum tax and alternative minimum tax.

118 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

KowWhof?

I^iliil

ilii

ili- W

Don't be
caught with
a critical job to
be run and a key
file unavailable be-
cause of a damaged
disk. DPATCH recovers
data from damaged hard or
floppy disks, and flags I/O er
rors without destroying user data.
DPATCH also recovers files acci
dentally erased, displays (and alters)
any sector on a disk, and can provide a
printed log of each session. Designed with
the business computer user in mind.

DPATCH

operates in
full screen
mode on any
CP/M^"or MP/M^"sys-
tem, and is supplied
with a comprehensive set
of documentation. DPATCH
is backed by AMI a leading
software company servicing the
needs of Silicon Valley. DPATCH re-
tails for $195.00 per copy; multi copy
discounts are available. Visa or Master-
Card are accepted for payment. OEM
enquiries are welcomed.

DfVOCH

Your recorded data is valuable!

1291 E. Hillsdale Blvd. Suite 209 Foster City, Calif ornio 94404 (415) 349-9336

CP/M^'^and MP/M^'^are trademarks of Digital Research, Inc.

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 3

INTERFACE AGE 119

The program is designed for financial
advisors and taxpayers who are familiar
with the tax rules but not with the
operation of a computer. Shortax is written
for the CP/M disk operating system. It is
delivered in compiled form on 8-in. single
density disks without the operating system.
Programs are also available for the SVi-in.
Apple II disk systems using the Z80
softcard and on a variety of other systems
using 5y4-in. diskettes. The program
requires a minimum of 48,000 characters
of central processor memory and at least
one disk drive with 90,000 characters of
memory. Shortax is not a tax preparation
program. It is for year-round use to
estimate the tax impact of alternative
business and investment decisions such
as: the year by year tax impact of a tax
shelter; the tax feasibility of forming a
corporation; the tax savings available with
trusts for the childrens' future college
expenses, and the tax impact of selling
investments at different times. It can also
be used to compute a taxpayers' estimated
taxes on a quarterly basis or to determine
optimum salary for the owner of a closely
held corporation. Price: $500. Syntax
Corp., Box 8137, 4500 W. 72nd Terrace,
Prairie Village, KS 66208.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 323

Interactive business system, Busicomp,
is designed to handle the accounting
needs of small businesses. It can be used
on the Apple or Apple II + systems with
48K bytes and at least one disk drive. Six
levels of security guard up to 11 program
sections encompassing most accounting
functions. All sections are interactive,

allowing single-step entry. Busicomp
incorporates an error-trapping, menu-
driven, self prompting design. Among the
41 reports generated are aging and data
on receivables and payables, personnel,
payroll, inventory, expenses, revenue and
journal posting. Formats correspond to
standard DSF Forms. Price: $1 ,500.
Advanced Operating Systems, 450 St.
John Rd., Michigan City, IN 46360,
(219)879-4693.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 324

Text-processor Versatext, is written
especially for the IBM Personal Computer
and the IBM or Epson printer. Versatext
features text justification, underlining,
titles, paging and paragraphing. In addition,
special features of the printers such as
printing wide, compressed and special
characters are easily handled by
embedding Versatext commands within the
text. With Versatext, you may prompt for
runtime entry, which makes it possible to
write one letter, and have it addressed to

120 INTERFACE AGE

any number of people. Texasof t, 1 028
North Madison Ave., Dallas, Tx 75208,
(214)495-5052.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 325

Business software, Executive Accounting
System, is compatible with the IBM Personal
Computer. The package is designed to
meet the accounting needs of business
executives, bookkeepers, accountants and
others. It is entirely menu-driven. The
package has a quick reference card and a
user-friendjy manual with step-by-step
instructions. It ends redundant writing and
calculations, warns of mistakes and lets
you review transactions on the screen or in
a printed report. It automatically posts
transactions, sorts accounts, closes
periods, and gives quick access to current
data. The package is integrated with
general ledger, accounts receivable and
accounts payable modules. It includes a
user's manual, program diskettes and will
have add-on modules for inventory, letter
writing, budgeting, graphic analysis and
payroll. Denver Software, 14100 E. Jewell
Ave., Suite 15, Aurora, CO 80012, (303)
750-9980.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 326

Numeric analysis package, Planmaster,
provides automatic spread-sheet analysis
for hundreds of applications including
financial planning, cost accounting, sales
forecasting, production planning, cash flow
analysis and scientific data analysis. The
user can modify the format to meet the
requirements of any project. The program
automatically recalculates all appropriate
totals with each new entry. It can produce
a ledger and balance sheet, a chart, a bank
statement, an expense account record or
any variety of formats the user designs for
specific business, engineering and
scientific applications. A key feature is the
Plansheet. A single Plansheet can include
10 or more separate pages, over 1,000
lines, or up to 130 columns, allowing the
program to accommodate large projects.
The program is available on 5-in. floppy
diskette (model PLMR-S) or 8-in. floppy
diskette (model PLMR-L). Price: $295.
Cromemco, 280 Bernardo Ave., Mountain
View, CA 94043, (41 5) 964-7400.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 327

Data management system, Symbolic
Dynamic Access Method, Version II
(SDAM/II), is designed to give the
microcomputer professional the capabilities
of mainframe data management systems. It
features object coded programs that can
create SDAM/II data bases and schema,
load records interactively from any
terminal, update on-line and inquire with
single or multiple parameters, produce
custom tabular reports with the SAVE
option to recall frequently-used formats,
and compress SDAM/II data bases for
efficiency and space. A subroutine
package written in Microsoft Basic 80 (Rel.
5.0) interfaces with application packages.
The program is now available on 8-in. and
most 5 74 -in., single density floppy
diskettes in CP/M format with
comprehensive documentation. For
systems with a minimum of 48K bytes
memory. Price: $149. Computer
Development Specialists of Long Island,

Suite 23, 90 Broadhollow Rd., Melville, NY
11747, (516)732-2407.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 326

Small business package, Mailpack,
combines the features of Kwikrite, a
simplified letter and text writing set of
programs, Docurite, a multi-page,
comprehensive word processor. Customer,
a specialized data base manager and a new
interfacing program, Mailsome. This allows
the user to create a customer data base,
draw from the data base a sub-set of
customers of clients, generate a letter or
document to be sent to that sub-set of
customer with the inside address and
salutation customized for each client in
that particular sub-list. The total package
is available for TRS-80 models I or III.
A minimum of 32K bytes and two disk
drives are required. Customer records
may be keyed by any six character code,
and the access to the data base manager
is direct. The operation of the Mailpack
software is fully interactive, with a master
menu and sub-menus for every module.
Any of the modules may be purchased and
used separately, so that a user can
purchase the total package in stages.
Price: $149.95. Simplified Software
Systems, 118 Third Ave. N.W., Box 1192,
Hickory, NC 28601 .

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 329

Law Office management system for the

Archives Computer consists of three main
elements. The first is a legal time and
billing package, The Firm Solution. The
package features automatic time and
expense entry, comprehensive pre-billing
worksheet, calendar and docket control
plus detailed management reports of the
firm's activities. The second element is its
Wordstar word processing capabilities. The
Archives microcomputer uses twenty
special function keys to eliminate key
strokes. The third element is access to the
legal research database Westlaw. Archives,
404 West 36th St., Davenport, 10,
(319)386-7401.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 330

Property management system for

tracking income and expenses on rental
property handles a mixture of property
rentals including single family homes and
condominiums. Information for each rental
is kept on-line including up to three renter
names or name-and-address, four phone
numbers, date rented, rent amount,
deposits, number of returned checks plus
two memo lines. This information, along
with rental income tracking data, is stored
on diskette and is displayed on-screen at
any time for information or updating
purposes. All information can be printed for
a permanent record. The system is
available for the Radio Shack models I and
III and the Apple II and III. Price: $375.
Realty Software Co., 1 1 16 F 8th St.,
Manhattan Beach, CA 90266,
(213)372-9419.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 331

Programmable controller management
package, the Programmable Controller
Report Generator, allows the user to
prepare machine-produced reports on the
status and activity of up to 64 PCs being
monitored. In operation, the user formats

JUNE 1982

r^V —

Can you improve excellence? We can

By adding our Memotech Memopak to the excellence of the ZX81,
we have achieved perfection.

The growth of interest in computer use
caused by the introduction of the Sinclair
ZX81 has made new and exciting
demands on the ingenuity of electronic
engineers. At Memotech we have
focused our attention' on the design of
inexpensive, reliable memory
extensions.

The Memopak is a 64K RAM pack
which extends the memory of the ZX81
by a further 56K. The new memory
extensions are designed to be within the
price range expected by Sinclair users. It
plugs directly into the back of the ZX81
and does not inhibit the use of the
printer or other add-on boards. There is
no need for an additional power supply
or leads.

Increase your memory.

The Memopak together with the ZX81
gives a full 64K, which is neither
switched nor paged, and is directly
addressable. The unit is user
transparent and accepts such basic
commands as 10 DIM A(9000).

ncnoTEcn

Memotech Corp.
7550 W. Yale Ave.
Suite 220
Denver Co. 80227
Ph. (303) 986-0016

Free service on your Memopak.

Within the first 90 days, should
anything go wrong with your Memopak
return it to us and we will fix or replace it
free of charge.

Try Memopak with no obligation.

You can use our Memopak in your
home without obligation. After 10 days, if
you are not completely satisfied, simply
return it for a full refund.

0-8K. . . Sinclair ZX81 ROM

8-16K . . . This section of memory

switches in or out in 4K blocks to leave

space for memory mapping, holds its

contents during cassette loads, allows

communication between programs, and

can be used to run assembly language

routines.

16-32K . . . This area can be used for

basic programs and assembly language

routines.

32-64K . . . 32K of RAM memory for

basic variables and large arrays.

With the Memopak extension the
ZX81 is transformed into a powerful
computer, suitable for business, leisure
and educational use, at a fraction of the
cost of comparable systems.

' Mail to: Memotech Corp. 7550 W. Yale Ave. Suite 220 Denver, Colo.

80227

I understand that if I'm not completely satisfied, I can return my Memopak in 10 days for a
'""^^'""'^ Price t Qty. Amount

n Check
D Visa
Exp. _

D WIC

Act . No.

Memopak 64k RAM

$ 179.95

Memopak 16k RAM

$ 79.95

Shipping and Handling

$ 4.95

Total

Signature,

Name_
Street

City

State

Zip

t U.S. Dollars

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 41

INTERFACE AGE 121

the reports once, identifies data that is to
be retrieved from the PCs, and then
periodically runs the report. The PCs are
connected, usually through a
communications network such as the PC
manufacturer's own data highway or direct
RS-232 interfaces. Reports produced from
PCs installed in discrete manufacturing
facilities typically show production counts
per shift, machine up/down times, machine

status, etc., and can automatically include
current PC data. For PCs used in
continuous processing facilities, flow,
temperature, pressures, production, etc.,
may all be tracked and stored for later
trending. Report pages can be up to 66
lines deep and 132 columns wide. PC data
can be displayed in several different
formats and can be shown with data
obtained from the operator as well as fixed
information. Report copies are available via
printer, CRT screen, or disk file. Xycom,
750 N. Maple Rd., Saline, Ml 48176.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 332

Manufacturing software package is for

use on Mercator Business Systems. The
package is designed for the small-to-
medium size company grossing between
$5 million and $100 million a year. The
system allows the user to coordinate and
control the vital functions of stock room,
work-in-progress, finished goods Inventory,
job and product cost accounting, labor
distribution, purchasing, and product
structure maintenance. The package runs
under Mercator's Business Basic operating
system on the sixteen-user model 5000,
eight-user model 4000, and four-user
model 3000. Each system incorporates
16-bit architecture, and uses Winchester
disk and tape cartridge backup. Hard disk
storage can be expanded from 10M bytes
to 169M bytes. Memory configurations
range from 64K to 51 2K bytes of RAM.
Mercator Business Systems, 1 294
Lawrence Station Rd., Sunnyvale, CA
94086, (408) 734-5134.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 333

Decision support system, FCS-EPS, is
now available for the ONYX Timesharing
Super Microcomputer. It Is a
comprehensive software system for
decision support using financial modeling,
"what-lf" scenarios, pre-written functions
and routines, simultaneous equation
solution, non-procedural statements, text
manipulation, indirect addressing of
variables, data management, forecasting,
editing and advanced programming
capabilities using the FCS-EPS language. A
host of pre-written functions exists for
depreciation, loans, NPV, lead and lag of
payments/receipts, rounding, column

122 INTERFACE AGE

calculations, percentages, summaries, etc.
Additional modules may be integrated for
color graphics, hierarchical data
management and consolidation, and a
relational data base manager facility. Using
FCS-EPS operating under the UNIX-
compatible operating system on the ONYX
Super Micro, it may have up to eight users
on the same machine. Price: $6,000. EPS,
1 788 Technology Dr., San Jose, CA
95110, (800) 538-7578.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 334

Broker's information system, BIS, is an
integrated, computer based, account
management and reporting system
designed for the retail securities business.
It runs under the OASIS operating system.
It is written In OASIS complied Basic. It
makes extensive use of ISAM file
structures and other OASIS features to
provide Instant on-line data retrieval and
display of client account Information. An
unusual feature is that the package
introduces the concept of metered
software. Licensees are billed each month
for the amount of work the system actually
performs. Information Technology, 5180 E.
Main St., Columbus, OH 43213,
(614)866-9966.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 335

PERSONAL

Educational package, Pascal Tutor,
Includes a user's manual, program
diskettes, and quizzes at the end of each
chapter review. These reviews, quizzes
and quiz reviews serve to reinforce the
ideas and material covered in each
chapter, making the package an
understandable and thorough Introduction
to programming in the Pascal Language.
The tutor not only introduces many of the
fundamentals of UCSD Pascal, but
provides a review tool for the more
experienced programmer. Price: $125. The
Denver Software Co., 14100 E. Jewell
Ave., Suite 15, Aurora, CO 80012, ■
(303) 750-9980.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 366

Math series, Math Drills version 1 .0 for
the IBM Personal Computer, offers practice
in addition, subtraction, multiplication and
division, with randomly generated problems
In any difficulty range. A user's scoreboard
monitors number right, number wrong,
average, speed, best prior average and
best prior speed. In addition to the
scoreboards, it uses 20 different reward
messages, the sound of charge for every
Item answered correctly, and a song for
every 20 correct. The software requires a
36K-byte IBM system with one disk drive
and an 80-column monitor. Price: $39.
Starware, Dept. P2, 3901 Davis PI. NW,
Washington, D.C. 20007.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 367

Applications software. Grading Systems
Program, is designed to accommodate a
variety of different grade calculation
schemes. It allows junior high schools, high
schools and small colleges to maintain
grade and credit Information for such

purposes as grade card preparation and
master record maintenance. The program
allows an Apple II computer to prepare
report cards, file folder labels, synoptic
records, grade labels, class rosters and
honor rolls. The system is furnished with a
specially designed light pen for easy entry
of grades by para-professionals and others
not familiar with computer keyboards. The
system requires an Applesoft-equipped
Apple II or Apple II Plus computer with 48K
bytes of memory, a single disk drive and an
80-column printer. $299.95. Charles Mann
& Assoc, 55722 Santa Fe Trail, Yucca
Valley, CA 92284, (714) 365-9718.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 366

CP/M course, EC-1120, is designed for
first-time computer users. No previous
background in CP/M or knowledge of
Assembly Language is necessary to take
the course. It is designed to teach how to
operate CP/M-based applications programs
and use the CP/M editor to create and
manipulate text files. Written in an audio-
tutorial format, the course includes a
500-page self-instruction text and five
audio cassettes. Version 2.2 and earlier
versions of CP/M, Including built-in and
transient commands, are covered in the
ten units of the course. Among the

subjects covered are: the writing of basic
commands, diagnosing causes for errors,
using the Console Command Processor
(CCP), transient programs, using the STAT
and CONFIGUR commands, using the
Peripheral Interchange Program (PIP) to
transfer files from one disk to another,
using ED (CP/M's text editor) to edit and
manipulate files— and to create and use
combined commands, and submitted
command files with the XSUB and SUBMIT
commands. Price: $99.95. Heathklt/Zenith
Educational Systems, Dept. 350-415,
Benton Harbor, Ml 49022.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 369

Fantasy/adventure programs for the
Sinclair ZX81 Personal Computer have
been created to operate with 1 6K bytes of
memory. The games create a fantasy in
which the player takes an active role In
maneuvering through perilous situations to
seek a solution or hidden treasure. The
player becomes involved in shaping the
fantasy story by using short English
commands to move through rooms, tunnels
and caves and manipulate objects and
circumstances. Aside from being
entertaining, these adventure programs are
designed to challenge the player's
ingenuity, strategic thinking and problem
solving abilities. In Adventure A, the player
is marooned on a strange planet and must
escape by making the right combination of

JUNE 1982

decisions. Adventure B places the player
at the entrance to a long lost Inca Temple
with the challenge of finding the way
through a tricky maze of tunnels and
corridors to find a hidden treasure or risk
being lost forever. Price: $19.95.
Softsync. P.O. Box 480. Murray Hill
Station, New York. NY 10156.
(212)685-2080.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 370

Graphics software package, Graph, is
now available for the Apple I. Graph can
stand alone or interface directly with PFS
data bases or Visicalc to produce bar. line
or pie charts of presentation quality in
minutes. Line and bar graphs can be mixed
and matched, and up to four graphs can be
displayed on a single set of axes. Bar
graphs can be stacked or comparative.
Other features include automatic
formatting, scaling, legend labelling and
pattern fill. Graph interfaces with a variety
of printers including Silentype and Epson,
as well as the HP 7470A plotter. Software
Publishing Corp.. 1901 Landings Dr.,
Mountain View, CA 94043.
(415)962-8910.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 371

Space shuttle flight simulation,

Rendezvous, designed by a NASA senior
scientist. Wesley Huntress, simulates an
actual space shuttle flight from Earth
Liftoff, through Orbital Rendezvous and
Approach, to Alignment and Docking. The
system is available in Applesoft and Atari
Basic. Rendezvous' high-resolution
graphics and animation capture the drama
and difficulty of space navigation. Shuttle
liftoff and flight conditions are governed by
gravitational forces, thrust and the player's
own piloting skills. Distance and engine
burn time (measured in kilometers and
seconds) complicate orbital calculations.
Throughout the final alignment and docking
sequence, the player views the rotating,
three-dimensional space station as it would
appear through a space craft's anterior
window. 3-D Solid-Structure Graphics bring
to life the massive bulk and solidity of the
station and docking bay. In a precisely
timed operation, the player must maneuver
his craft around the station and into the
narrow, tunnel-like bay. Once docking is
achieved, a sophisticated algorithm scores
performance. Maneuvers are implemented
with either keyboard or joystick controls.
Rendezvous is recommended for individual
players, 13 and over. Suitable for
classroom application in General Science.
Earth Science, and Physics. Price: $39.95.
Edu-Ware Services. Box 22222. Agoura.
CA 91301.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 372

Relational Systems Int'l Corp., Box 13850,
Salem. OR 97309. (503) 363-8929.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 376

Operating system. Concurrent CP/M-86,
allows a single-user to perform several jobs
simultaneously. A user can print a file,
enter information into a data base and
receive electronic mail from a
communications port at once. One can call
up a directory without leaving the current
program. Programmers can save time by
compiling one segment of code while
editing another. The user can go from one
screen to another at the push of a key to
monitor several operations running
simultaneously. The product is compatible
with CP/M-86, a 16-bit. single-user, single-
tasking operating system, and MP/M-86.
which permits more than one operator to
use a single CPU simultaneously. It offers
file-structure compatibility with all Digital
Research operating systems, including
CP/NET, which permits a number of
separate computers to operate in a
distributed processing network, and CP/M.
Digital Research, Box 579. Pacific Grove,
CA 93950. (408) 649-3896.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 377

Software development tools, Introl-C,
allow creation of C programs for
6809-based microprocessor systems. The
set includes a C compiler, a 6809
assembler, an object code linker, and an
object code library manager. The source
code for the complete standard runtime
library is included to allow the user to tailor
developed programs to the specific target
runtime environment. The compiler
supports all standard C control structures,
arithmetic and logical operators, and most
forms of declarations. The only omissions
from a full C implementation are long,
floating, and enumeration data types,
initializers, bitfields, and structures as
function parameters. All preprocessor
directives are supported except #line and
#if (#ifdef and #ifndef are supported
however). The compiler generates efficient
6809 assembly language that can be
assembled using the included assembler.
The code produced by the compiler is
position independent and re-entrant,
allowing programs to be produced for
multi-tasking environments. The full Introl-C
toolkit is available as a cross-compiler
operating under CP/M or as a resident
compiler operating under FLEX-09. The
software is available on 8-in. CP/M or
FLEX-compatible disks. Price: CP/M
version $350. FLEX $300. Introl. 647 W.
Virginia St., Milwaukee, Wl 53204.
(414)276-2937.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 378

disk copy and file transfer programs, disk
and memory diagnostics and a printout
formatting facility. Multl/OS and I/OS
support up to 15 disk units and allow the
mixing of 5-in. and 8-in. floppy and hard
disks. The file directory utilizes systems
buffers, which improve access speeds.
Multl/OS allows up to 16 tasks
simultaneously— any of which may run
with a physical terminal or as a background
job. Multl/OS provides for multiple printers
with automatic spooling, record lock using
FMM. 48K bytes per user, a full range of
languages available including: Basic.
Fortran. Pascal. Cobol. PL/I. C. and Z80 or
8080 Assembler. Infosoft Systems. 25
Sylvan Rd. S., Westport, CT 06880,
(203) 226-8937.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 379

Pascal compiler for CP/M, version 2.
speeds the edit-compile-test development
cycle. Separate external procedures and
functions allow development of large
programs. External procedures may be
written in Pascal or assembly language (a
special assembler is provided). The
arithmetic provides 14 digits for business
applications. Binary-coded-decimal format
eliminates conversion errors. For scientific
applications, the floating-point exponent
ranges from - 64 to + 63. Dynamic text
strings can be up to 64K bytes. Random
disk files can be accessed by relative
record number or relative byte address.
Disk files can be processed as ASCII text
or as binary data. Program development is
speeded by line trace and procedure trace,
which operate under program control.
Verbal error messages are provided by the
compiler and at runtime. Price: $295. JRT
Systems. Box 22365. 1891 - 23rd Ave.,
San Francisco. CA 941 22.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 380

C compiler, OASIS C, for the OASIS multi-
user operating system supports all features
of Bell Laboratories' UNIX Version Seven C
except floats, doubles, longs, multi-
dimension arrays, fields, structure
initializers or type definitions and type
casts. Producing Z-80 assembler code.
OASIS C includes an optimizer, which
reduces the compiled code between 30%
and 50%. Features include recursive
nature, pointers and structures,
assignment operators, complete I/O library
and compiler options. Price: $250. Phase
One Systems, 7700 Edgewater Dr., Suite
830. Oakland. CA 94621-3051,
(415)562-8085.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 381

SYSTEMS

Application generator. Personal Pearl,
enables users with no technical training or
computer experience to describe their
requirements visually and in English to the
computer. With Personal Pearl, beginning
end-users can generate their own library of
horizontal and personal applications
without being dependent on computer
software technicians or on standard
packaged programs. Price: $295.

Operating systems, Multl/OS and I/OS.
can provide users of Radio Shack TRS-80
II with CP/M compatibility and additional
functions. Multl/OS for the model II allows
two or three users with added memory of
64K. 128K, or 196K bytes. Hard disk may
be added for up to 40M bytes, with
63,000 files allowed. A two-station system
with 10M bytes is also possible. Five
additional user-programmable function keys
are provided, and require no hardware
change. Among other features are
autostart capability, the ability to disable
user abort sequences, directory status.

JUNE 1962

Programming language, RM/Cobol,
enables TeleVideo computer users and
software firms to develop applications
programs that take advantage of the
shared resource capability of TeleVideo's
proprietary operating system. The software
interface is incorporated in TeleVideo's
version of RM/Cobol. Programs written in
this language permit up to 16 users to
share a central data base, while providing
file protection for sensitive material. Price:
$750 with compiler and run-time module.
Televideo Systems. 1 1 70 Morse Ave.,
Sunnyvale, C A 94086, (408) 745-7760.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 382

INTERFACE AGE 123

Applications development language,

Quic-N-Easi Version 1 .3, incorporates
several new features and a re-written
manual. All programs written under
previous releases will run under 1 .3. The
language unites formatted, edited, data
entry with processing, printing and file
handling. Quic-N-Easi runs under CP/M on
most Z-80 based machines and on the
TRS-80 model III without CP/M. It requires
a minimum of 48K bytes of RAM. It will run
on one floppy disk, but two are
recommended. To edit input to the
character level, the cursor is put at the
location of the variable field and a function
key is pressed. A form is displayed and the
user fills in the blanks for field name, field
length, attribute, justification, may enter,
may tab, etc. This defines the field with no
coding. The interpreter understands the
contents of the variable field named on the
screen as a program variable. The
interpreter has a full set of commands
including subroutines and loops. Quic-N-
Easi has powerful file management
capabilities that include index sequential
file handling. Up to 20 files can be held
open at the same time. Standard
Microsystems, 136 Granite Hill Crt.,
Langhorne, PA 19047, (215) 968-0689.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 363

Language version, Cobol 4.6, includes an
Indexed Sequential Access Method (ISAM)
that has been restructured to show
improved execution time, a Common
Runtime Library, and a Link-to-Disk linking
loader enabling the user to link very large
programs. It also features a symbolic
interactive debugging facility. The new
debugger provides English-word
commands, and uses program data names
as references in commands. It
revolutionizes Cobol program development
on micros by breaking the dump-change-
run cycle, and by presenting data in a
highly readable form. A utility program is
included with 4.6 Cobol for converting
ISAM files created under previous
releases. A link-to-disk linking loader now
accompanies the compiler, providing the
capability to link very large programs.
Under the link-to-disk linking loader, the
size of the executable file is limited only by
disk drive capacity. Microsoft, 10700
Northup Way, Bellevue, VA 98004.

UTILITY

SBasic I/O drivers for Cromemco
systems feature a console driver, which in
addition to the standard system, provides a
non-destructive cursor back and forward
movement, character insert and delete
(with standard terminals such as the IQ
120), fast in-line cursor movement with
TAB and HOME and a recall function that
moves the contents of the line typed last
into the current line. The cursor
addressing feature of your terminal can be
customized into the driver. Also available is
an I/O driver that serves memory boards
(RAM as well as ROM) as logical files. One
can access up to 224K bytes (7 files, 32K

bytes each) in a single-user system,
holding data or programs for ultra-fast and
reliable random or sequential access. This
driver supports all boards with a bank-
switch feature (at port 40h), such as the
64 KZ or the Measurement Systems &
Control board. Prices: $25 for printer,
$145 for the console driver including all
listings. Tesco GmbH, Box 10, 8714
Wiesentheid, Germany, (Tel. 09383-1237).
Or contact Albion Industries, Box 7,
Millersville, MD 21108, (301) 923-2458.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 390

Presentation graphics package.

Executive Briefing System, is oriented to
the business and professional user. It
creates, organizes, and displays slide show
presentations on the Apple II. It creates
bootable diskette slide shows that run
automatically or manually, using hand
controllers or the keyboard to advance,
backup or view individual slides. Run-time
options of viewing time, multi-disk wrap-
around, and special effects such as
curtains, dissolves, spirals and cuts, may
be specified prior to the show, or changed
mid-show. It enables the user to add text
or line drawings to hi-resolution images
created by VisiPlot or other graphics
packages, refining and enhancing existing
charts and graphs. Text-only slides can
also be created, using the eight custom-
designed fonts included on the program
diskette. The unit offers true color text
fonts, proportional characters, and text
positioning flexibility. The Draw feature
enables the user to draw in any of the six
Apple colors, creating borders, flow charts
and diagrams. Price: $199. Professional
Software Technology, 180 Franklin St.,
Cambridge, MA 02139, (617) 497-2077.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 391

Operating system expander, Microshell,
is a program that runs on any
8080/8085/Z-80 CP/M 2.2
system— bringing the power of the UNIX
operating system to CP/M users and
software developers. Microshell manages
the interface between CP/M and the user
to provide many of the best features of
UNIX. Compatibility with CP/M programs is
retained while the user can now type
multiple commands on a line, send normal
output to a file instead of the screen and
take input from a file instead of the
keyboard. Microshell performs automatic
disk drive searches for the program to
execute, virtually eliminating the need to
use disk drive prefixes to filenames. Direct
execution of commands from a file without
using the SUBMIT facility is also provided.
The UNIX pipe facility is implemented using
temporary files. User-defined prompt with
drive and/or user number, user-customized
search path to accommodate any floppy or
hard disk configuration and expanded
submit facility, are other features. It is
available on 5- or 8-in. disks with a
comprehensive manual. Price: $150. New
Generation Systems, 2153 Golf Course
Dr., Reston, VA 22091, (703) 476-9143.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 392

Graphics software, Graphics Magician,
includes machine language routines that
can be attached to your own programs to
give arcade-quality animation, storage for
hundreds of pictures on a single disk, and

124 INTERFACE AGE

extended shape table features. The
machine language animator employs the
same techniques used in almost all popular
Apple arcade games, and includes editors
for pre-shifted shapes, paths, and
animation of up to 32 independent objects.
The picture/object editor allows you to
create 100-color hi-res images in a form
that makes hundreds quickly accessible
from any program. The new Apple shape
editor features use of all colors and angle
preservation on rotation and scaling. A
tutorial manual is included. Price: $59.95.
Penguin Software, 1206 Kings Circle,
West Chicago, IL 60185, (312)231-0912.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 393

Graphics software package,

Execugraph, produces bar charts, line
drawings, pie charts and histograms.
Graphs and charts summarize masses of
written data into graphic visual form. Types
of information that Execugraph can
translate from written to graphic form
include current and historical information,
trends in sales, profits, growth and
marketing efforts. The presentation can be
displayed on a CRT type terminal or chart
plotter. Depending on output medium,
these graphs can be displayed in several
colors. A person does not need
programming skills to operate the program.
A brief question and answer dialogue will
produce full documented graphs. It is
capable of graph selection and storage,
storage and retrieval of user-defind graph
formats and separate data file entries for
use with user-defined formats. It is capable
of interface definition for external user
programs and composite graphs (e.g.
forecast vs. actual). The program is written
entirely in Fortran-IV. It is supplied with
user documentation and examples.
Interactive Systems and Software, Box
348, Danvers, MA 01923, (617) 774-6703.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 394

Hardware Independent software, EPM

version 1 .1 , permits the programming of
EPROMs directly from CP/M disk files and
allows existing EPROMs to be read directly
to a disk file for archiving or duplication.
Because EPM operates independently of
any particular hardware configuration, it
can interface with a wide variety of
common EPROM programming systems
including SD Systems PROM-100 board,
Cromemco Bytesaver and Pro-Log. By
using a control block to identify the
particular type of EPROM to be
programmed, EPM eliminates the need for
address and length calculations and
provides the flexibility to adapt to future
EPROM developments. The program is
menu-driven and requires a minimum of
user interface. The EPM program
automatically verifies EPROM erasure prior
to programming. After programming, EPM
provides confirmation of successful
program transfer and reports
discrepancies. A Hexrom utility is also
included for hex file conversion. The
program runs under CP/M version 2.0 or
later with at least 24K bytes of RAM. EPM
verison 1 .1 is distributed on 8-in. single
sided, single density diskettes. Price: $75.
Dantek Software, 4550 Schoolhouse Rd.,
Batavia, OH 45103, (513) 752-1921.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 395

JUNE 1982

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 67

INTERFACE AGE 125

L^Ltl uu^n

Jun 5 Swapfest/Exposition, Minnesota State Fairgrounds,
St. Paul, MN, will be the state's largest show for personal
computer software and communication equipment. Amateur
Fair, Box 30054, St. Paul. MN 55175.

Jun 6-8 Conference on Computers and Humanities,

McKimmon Center, Raleigh, NC, will present a convention
workshop and guest speakers. Dept. of English, N. Carolina
State University, Raleigh, NC 27650.

Jun 6-9 Consumer Electronics Show, McCormick Place,
Washington, D.C., seminars and exhibitions on a wide range
of computer-related products, as well as other electronics
merchandise. Consumer Electronics Shows, Two Illinois
Center, Suite 1607, 233 N. Michigan. Chicago. IL 60601.

Jun 7-1 National Computer Conference, Astrodomain,
Houston, TX, will display the latest advances in computer hard-
ware, software and services. Will include technical sessions,
speakers from both industry and government, and films relating
to computer technology. American Federation of Information
Processing Societies, 1815 N. Lynn St., Arlington, VA 22209,
(703) 558-3610.

Jun 8-9 Confronting the Communications Revolution,

McGraw-Hill World Headquarters Conference and Exposition
Center, New York. NY. will discuss current and future industry
changes. Hands-on strategy workshops will concern broad-
casting, newspaper, consumer and trade publications, and

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information systems. Business Week Executive Programs,
1221 Ave. of the Americas. 40th Floor, New York, NY 10020,
(212) 997-4930.

Jun 8-10 DSS-81, Colony Square Hotel, Atlanta, GA, con-
ference on decision support systems, including executives,
builders, MIS managers, products and services. DSS-81 , Room
405, 146 Westminster St., Providence, Rl 02903.

Jun 11-13 S. Florida Microcomputer Conference and
Exhibition, BCC N. Campus, Ft. Lauderdale, FL, including a
trade show, series of seminars, and used computer flea market.
Applications include small business, word processing, educa-
tion, science/engineering, consumer and hobbyist. Tom
Blayney, Emergent, Inc., 9466 Saddlebrook Dr., Boca Raton,
FL 33434, (305) 483-5248.

Jun 13-17 NCGA Conference, Convention Center, Anaheim,
CA, third annual conference of the National Computer Graphics
Assoc, including more than 20 tutorials, 60 technical sessions
and 150 exhibits, highlighting computer graphics technologies.
NCGA, 2033 M St. NW, Suite 330, Washington, D.C. 20036.

Jun 14-16 Design Automation Conference, Caesar's
Palace, Las Vegas, NV, discussing the use of computers in
design, synthesis and analysis, especially computer-aided
design of digital systems. Bryan Preas, VR Information Systems,
5818 Balcones Dr., Austin, TX 78731.

Jun 20-Aug 6 Young people's Basic training camps.

Lake Forest College, Lake Forest, IL, will give high school-
aged students hands-on experience with computers. Camps
are one week long and are open to students 12 to 18 years
old. Lake Forest Computer Camp, Lake Forest College, Lake
Forest, IL 60045.

Jun 28-30 Videotex '82, New York Hilton, New York, NY,
will focus on international videotex developments, an analysis
of why videotex is being used, and the range of marketing,
technical and political factors on the industry. Online Con-
ferences Ltd., Argyle House, Joel St., Northwood Hills, HA6
ITS, Middlesex, UK.

Jun 28-Jul 1 Conference on Precision Electromagnetic
Measurements, National Bureau of Standards Laboratories,
Boulder, CO, will deal with a variety of subjects, including the
applicaiton of microprocessors. Arrangements Chairperson,
CPEM 82, National Bureau of Standards, 1 -4001 , 325 Broad-
way, Boulder, CO 80303.

Jul 6-23 Program design course. State University, Fresno,
CA, workshop emphasizing design and creation of user-friendly
programs for use in the classroom. Courseware Magazine,
4919 N. Millbrook #222, Fresno, CA 93726.

Jul 19-21 Summer Computer Simulation Conference,

Marriott City Center Hotel, Denver, CO, covering all aspects
of simulation methodology and applications. Marlene M. Moller,
Aerospace Corp., Box 92957, Los Angeles, CA 90009.

Jul 24-28 lACVB conference, Franklin Plaza Hotel, Phila-
delphia, PA, discussions of what high technology and tele-
communications can do for the individual convention and visitor
bureau. Int'l. Assoc, of Convention and Visitor Bureaus, 702
Bloomington Rd., Champaign, IL 61820.

126 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

APPLE • ALTOS • ATARI • MAXELL • DYSAN • EPSON • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VEPBAflM • MIMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • ADDS

/VIICRO

SPECIAL OF THE MONTH

BUSINESS WORLD INC.
Infurniiitiiin (itin (?13) 996-2252
HHI \H\\ MAU ORDER LINES

(8(10) /|?J |}886 tliitMrii: Lalit

HP 41CV

OUR PRICE ^

MSL$23900 ^nn

325 00 ^^^-^^ 86.001

EXPANSION BOARD

QSTAR
16K RAM BOARD

MSL
199.00

OUR PRICE

^99.00

loo.ooj p

MICRO-SCI

APPLE 11+
COMPATIBLE
DRIVE

W/ CONTROLLER
MSL OUR PRICE
549.00 429.00

^4*^^ COMPARE TO
216.00 APPLE DRIVE

W/0 CONTROLLER

MSL OUR PRICE
449.00 379.00

^^Ltd' COMPARE TO
146.00 APPLE DRIVE

APPLE IS A REG. TRADE MARK OF APPLE COMPUTEPi

LE MONITOR

9" GRN, PHS. MONITOR
12" GRN. PHS. MONITOR

MSL OUR PRICE $*^
189.00 $119.00 70.00

^Wia§ HEWLETT
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HP 85

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^2750.00 $1975.00 775.00

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TRS 80 W/2 DRIVE

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t, 2495.00 $1799.00 696.00

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IBM PERSONAL
COMPUTER
INCLUDES

2 Drives

Colour Graphic Board

64K Memory

CALL FOR PRICE

^Subject to availability

APPLE II
PLUS

•Subject to
availability

CALL FOR PRICE

APPLE IS A REG, TRADEMARK OF APPLE COMPUTER.

MSL 2750.00

OUR PRICE

$1975.00

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DUAL MASTER DRIVE

MSL OUR PRICE ^4^
2500.00 1595.00 905.00

B commodore

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VicTVModual $19.00

VicCasseffe $69.00

Vic Disk Drive $Call

Vic 6 Pack program $44 00

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APPLE COMPATIBLE

INTRODUCTORY OFFER
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The Franklin ACE* 100 is a professional personal com-
puter thai is hardware and software compatible with the
Apple lit and includes many features not found on the
Apple unit. All programs written for the Apple II will run
on the Franklin ACE 100 without modification including
those usia^ high and low resolution black and white
sraphics. The ACE 100 is plug compatible with Apple.
All peripherals designed for the Apple II ^ill operate
with the ACE 100 without modification.

The Franklin ACE 100 is a personal computer with the
power, quality and reliability to meet the most deman-
ding applications of ttie business professional It comes

Franklin ACE 100 Features

• Apple II compatible • Alpha lock shift key

• 64K of RAM memory • VisiCalc friendly

■ Upper and lower case • 50 watt power supply

• Typewriter-style keyboard • Built-in (an

■ Twelve key numeric pad

COMPARE OUR COMPUTER

complete with 64K of RAM memorv which fulfills the
demanding memoty requiremenis ol VisiCalc and CP/M
based programs. The system includes a full upper and

lower case keyboard with true shilt capability and a
numeric pad. The computer generates a lull character
set to the video screen that displays upper and lower
case characters.

The 72 key keyboard includes an alpha lock key which
simplilies operation with existing Apple software. The
numeric pad cluster includes special keys such as
period, plus, minus, greater than (go to) and asterisk
(multiply) that are used frequently with VisiCalc.

The Franklin ACE 100 includes a joystick/ game paddle
connector, a speaker and eight peripheral connectors. A
built-in fan and a 50 watt power supply permit all eight
peripheral connectors to be used without power or
overheating problems.

FRANKLIN ACE 100 compared to APPLE lt|

FEATURES

APPLE II

=RANKUK
ACE 100

Computer with 48K

$1530.00

STD

RAM Memory

Microsoft 16K RAM

Card (16K RAM Memory)

195.00 (option)

STD

ABT 10 Key Pad

125.00 (option)

STD

Videx Keyboard Enhancer

149.00 (option)

STD

R.H. Electronics Super

Fin II (Muffin Fan)

69.00 (option)

STD

TOTAL

$2068.00

$1595.00

APPLE IS A REG. TRADE MARK OF APPLE COMPUTER

^ XEROX 820

WORD PROCESSING SYSTEM
(INCLUDES SOFTWARE)

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12" Grn. Phs. Video Monitor

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Qcommodore

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4940 - DUAL DISK DRIVE

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WE RESERVE THE RIGHT TO CORRECT TYPOGRAPHICAL bRHORS. THIS AD SUHtHCEDES ALL PREVIOUS ADS,

AVINGS
ERVICE
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Jl/||r^Qr> BUSINESS WORLD

iyfytlm^jriKJ warehouse

Telex: 1826S2
Answer: MICKO TZNA

18720 Oxnard, #108

„.„-,„ California residents add 6% sales tax

Tarzana, CA 91356 ...hh -js/ ck » .. h. ahh

OUTSIDE CA CALL TOLL FREE 1 (800)423-5886 IN CA (2 ui yab-itifbi! Add 3% Shipping & Handling - Add

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MAXELL • DYSAN • EPSON • CCS • SHARP • CASIO • HP • VERBATIM • MEMOREX • SOROC • CORVUS • PERSONAL SOFTWARE • CCS

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 90

INTERFACE AGE 127

Buuiri nEi/IEiyB

Introduction to Microcomputers
by Erik L. Dagless and David Aspinall
Computer Science Press, Rockville, MD

Reviewed by Dan W. Post

Efforts to animate matter-of-fact text are rare. Even elemen-
tary nuances of computer technology inhibit the development
of exciting prose on the subject. Engineers, mathematicians
and scientists seldom develop an accessible literary style.
Although an effort has been made to develop appealing aes-
thetics for this textbook, the copy remains predictably sterile.

This should not be taken to imply that the content hasn't
been intelligently and accurately compiled. All contributers
emerge competent and reliable in their specialties, and the
editors have assured a consistent terminology.

Because it attempts to provide a comprehensive overview
by uniting several fragmented areas, the book can provide
only a superficial treatment of some. The range of topics
includes components for information processing, computer
structure, the instruction set, applications, addressing
modes, the processor-memory system, concurrency, support
software, structured programming, applications and develop-
mental environment.

Serious students and some business professionals may
appreciate the straightforward approach of this text. Others
— with a more casual interest — should seek lighter reading.
The book is indexed, includes six appendices and a glossary.

233 pages $19.95

Understanding and Buying a
Small-Business Computer
by Susan Blumenthal
Howard W. Sams, Indianapolis, IN

Are you being drawn to the mysteries of the CPU and CRT?
If so, study this book first. Before you slip into a computer
shop for a * 'quick demo." Before conferring with any type of
consultant. Perhaps even before picking up a computer
magazine.

An underlying commitment to objective, non-technical
language— built on solid research— makes this an easy text
for those with limited computer experience to digest in a
short time.

The author's suggestions may help link the progressive,
efficiency-minded businessperson with the rewards this
medium can offer. Perhaps more importantly, some observations
may discourage a potential implementation by illuminating

misconceptions regarding the machine's capabilities. Her advice
may also acquaint a prospective end-user with ways in which
a business operation can prepare for future computerization.

157 pages $8.95 DWP

Basic Computer Programs for the Home

by Charles D. Sternberg

Hayden Book Co., Inc., Rochelle Park, NJ

Reviewed by Rocky Smolin

Many consumers are struggling to find some remote
rationalization to justify plunking down $1 ,000 to $3,000 for
a home computer. Generally these justifications are opposed
by a spouse who would rather blow the money on "luxuries"
like food or clothes.

Well, here is the blasphemous but honest word on the
subject: Most of the alleged "benefits" of home computing
can actually induce trauma. Balancing a checkbook with a
computer takes more time and causes more headaches than
doing it manually. The same goes for recipe storage. How
many million recipes does it take before the practical index
card and box approach becomes unworkable? Does a computer
really do a better job of calculating your car's gas mileage
than the back of the envelope you've had stuck under the sun
visor for the last two years?

For a glimpse at 81 things that might be better off not put
on a computer, consult Sternberg's book. Here we have a
collection of programs divided into ten categories: home
financial programs, automobile-related programs, kitchen
helpmates, scheduling programs, list programs for a variety
of purposes, miscellaneous programs for the home, tutorial
programs, conversion programs, recreational programs and
hobbyist's diaries.

If you are holding out for useful home computer functions,
you stand the best chance in the first section of the book—
which contains programs for financial records, income tax
recording and stock tracking. It also contains the obligatory
checkbook balancer, and mortgage amount projections.

Kitchen helpmates assist the homemaker in meal and diet
planning, freezer inventories and a supermarket list.
Scheduling programs will arrange your TV viewing, chores,
lawn and plant care. List programs will list your Christmas
cards, addresses, collections and clubs. The diaries are
broken into golf, fishing, photography, greenhouse, CB radio,
bowling and a general purpose diary. None of these things
really need to be done on a computer.

See Anvil Cases at the NCC Show, June 7-10. Booth ^A-856

Armored Transport.

Today's computer systems and components are incredibly
reliable — until you have to move them from place-to-place.
That's when the going gets tough. So, many
computer users and manufacturers are investing in the
toughest travel protection money can buy: ANVIL
"A.T.A." Cases.

ANVIL "A.T.A." Cases are Airline Transport Association-
approved. They pass rigid tests to assure that even the most
delicate electronic equipment is thoroughly pro-
tected, even after dozens of round-trip shipments.

Write or coil for the ANVIL Deaier in /our oreo:

ANVIL' CASES, INC., 4128 Temple City Boulevard. Rosemead, CA 91770-9990

Phone: (213) 575-8614

128 INTERFACE AGE

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 5

JUNE 1982

So why then does this book rate a favorable recommenda-
tion? Because there are at least five valid reasons for bringing
a computer home. This book can help you to learn about the
machine— make it part of the family. The first reason is:
because you want a computer. Secondly, it is desirable to
participate in the computer revolution — essentially to be in
the mainstream of your culture. Third: you want your children
to have the advantage of early exposure to computers.
Fourth: to plug into the national information networks available
to home computers. Finally, because you deserve a new toy,
and there are few truly innovative diversions left.

Why should we buy Sternberg's book if we understand the
marginal utility of the programs included?

The book is well put together. Each program is prefaced
with a description, the functions of the program, instructions
for use, some explanation of the data entry, the data formats,
a description of the outputs and other comments. This is
followed by a listing of the program, an example of what the
screen prompts and outputs look like and a sample of the
printed output.

Also, Hayden has assumed a unique marketing stance for
this book. All the programs described are available on two
5V4-'\r\. diskettes for $24.95. So far, they are available only in
Apple II format; a spokesperson of the publisher was not
optimistic about the eventual availability of other formats for
other machines. However, for those with Apple lis who do not
want to key in the programs, here they are, already stored on
a disk.

Perhaps most important, as a new computer user, you
need to learn to program, which Implies learning both the
tricks and techniques of programming, and how to approach
organizing the solution to a problem programmatically. To this
end, Sternberg's book can be an invaluable aid. In the process
of entering, studying, understanding, and maybe even using
these programs, a better understanding of Basic programming
will result. Having learned Basic, one can then modify and
enhance these programs so that utility or entertainment
applications are possible.

330 pages $10.95

Inventory Management for Small Computers

by Chuck Atkinson

Dilithium Press, Beaverton, OR

According to a Time, Inc. /Focus Research study done in
1980 of over 1 ,700,000 small businesses, inventory control
was cited as one of the three most important systems by only

26% of current users. Among possible purchasers, however,
inventory control was at the top of the list, cited by 42% of
respondents as one of the two most important applications.

There is a scarcity of good inventory control software for
small computers compared to the abundance of standard
accounting package offerings. Thus, this book is bound to
become a valuable addition to the world of small business
application software, containing not only a comprehensive
and cogent description of an inventory control system, but
the program listings as well.

Atkinson leads into his subject with a discussion first of
inventory control basics, then a second chapter on inventory
control by computer. Next is an operations manual for the
parts operations program, liberally laced with figures showing
the screen prompts and user responses, report samples, file
layouts, and a complete program listing. Another chapter
does the same for the parts file maintenance and construction
program. Three chapters cover sorting, the Quick Register—
a program that provides on-line update of the inventory files,
and a printed sales receipt— and PAL, the parts sales analysis
program. These programs are in CBasic. CBasic2, with its
CHAIN command provides additional capabilities, so Atkinson
provides the complete program CHAINED in CBasic2.

120 pages $16.95 RS

Problem-Solving on the TRS-80 Pocket Computer:

A Self-Teaching Guide

by Don Inman and Jim Conlan

John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY

Reviewed by Bob McElwain

Here's a clear-cut presentation applicable to the Sharp
PC-121 1 as well as Tandy's popular product. The reader is
guided through basic operation and then familiarized with
more advanced features. Beyond elementary data handling,
one encounters a formidable look at trig functions, sorting
and searching, random numbers and interest computation.

Generally, a mathematically-biased approach has been
applied— in some areas it is assumed the reader retains the
principles of elementary trigonometry — the average consumer
might not derive much benefit from this. The only real criticism
on text quality is addressed to the time-pressured copy editor
who missed a few glaring typos. But perhaps everyone knows
the volume of a cylinder is given by V = nR^H and not V = R^H.

255 pages $8.95

See Anvil Cases at the NCC Show, June 7- 70. Booth #A'856.

Quick Getaway.

ANVlL's new FORGE II Computer Cases are just the ticket to
get you and your computer components on the road — Fast!
They're much lighter than our top-of-the-line "A.T.A."
Cases, yet still provide a high degree of protection against
both functional and cosmetic damage caused by impact
during transit.

ANVIL FORGE II Computer Cases, like all ANVIL Cases are
available for virtually every computer product on the
market. And we can custom-design Cases to meet any
special requirements you might have.

WritoorcatlfortheANVILDeator In your area;

ANVIL' CASES, INC., 4128 Temple City Boulevard. Rosemead, CA 91770-9990
Phone; (213) 575-8614

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 6

INTERFACE AGE 129

PRESENTING

THE LARGEST COLLECTION

OF COMPUTER BOOKS

EVER ASSEMBLED

Introducing the New DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY Comprehensive Computer Book
(Reference and Guide of computer science books. This one-of-a-kind guide will prove
to be the computer industry's finest reference tool with these spectacular features:
• The largest selection of books anywhere listed in 1 handy reference guide.

We offer summaries of over 850 different titles from 32 major publishers,
t Cross-referencing of books by subject matter and comprehension level as well

as by author and title.
- 1 Monthly updates. By updating our guide listing monthly, we keep you informed

about the latest computer science books on the market,
t A complete one-stop shop. Since we stock most books listed in the guide in-house,

we ore able to fulfill your book orders directly from our offices,
t Annual Reference and Guide $4.95.
t Subscription to annual Reference and Guide, monthly updates and quarterly

indexes $45.00.

PLACE YOUR ORDER TODAY!!

LJ Please send m e a copy o f the 1 982 Comprehensive Computer Book Reference ond Guide for
34 95. [Shipping and Handling US. only-S2,00. Foreign- S3 00 ] California residents add
6% sales tax

I I Please send me a one year subscription of monthly updates plus quarterly cross-reference

indexes for S45.00 U.S. only Foreign orders air mail only S60.00

D Check (Must be U S Funds drawn on U.S. bank)

CARD NO,

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SIGNATURE _

ADDRESS _

CITY.

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Make check or money order payable to DATA DYNAMICS TECHNOLOGY,

P.O. Box 1217. Dept. EBUS, Cerritos..CA 90701-1217

Shipping and Handling chargesaretobe included in each order, S2,00-U,S, only, S3,00-Foreign

(except subscription] California residents add 6% sales tax (except subscription].

Please allow 6-8 weeks for delivery. Prices subject to change without notice

Place your direct order today!
Coll Toll FREE outside California

800-423-6665, Ext. 10

Pacific Standard Time, 8;00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday— Friday

130 INTERFACE AGE

New Literature

Supplies and accessories for Apple, Atari, North
Star, IBM systems and others are included in a four-
color catalog. Media, cables-connectors, Datamaster
work stations, books on hardware and software, and an
extensive selection of supplies and display stations and
printers are included. Free. Inmac, Dept. 59, 2465
Augustine Dr., Santa Clara, CA 95051.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 201

Microcomputer sy tern reference cards provide
complete summaries of individual reference manuals
and microcomputers. Fold-up size is 8 y2-in. by 3 V4-\r\.
Newly-released versions include TRS-80 color Basic
($4.95) and model l| Basic and Assembler ($5.95).
Versions for several other systems will be released
soon. Nanos Systems Corp., Box 24344, Speedway,
IN 46244.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 202

DP Directory publishes the tables of contents of over
100 computer periodicals each month. Dozens of data
processing magazines dealing with hardware, software,
systems development, telecommunications, graphics,
word processing and personal computing are included.
Annual susbcription: $48. DP Directory, Box 562,
Bloomfield, CT 06002.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 203

Design and product capability are detailed in a free
four-page brochure. It provides a problem-solving
approach for implementing entire product line of fiber
optics, miniature halogen and vacuum lamps and bar
code identification systems. Contents include thorough
product definitions and photos, as well as detailed
application information. Welch Allyn, Industrial
Products Div., Skaneateles Falls, NY 13153.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 204

Software catalog includes over 100 investment
analysis software packages for personal computers.
The latest edition includes software programs for the
Apple, Radio Shack and CP/M computers. The software
packages range from option analysis, portfolio manage-
ment, stock price trend forecasting, stock and option
graphs, performance analysis, on-balance volume
analyses of firms and market conditions, technical
analysis, commodity analysis programs, charting and
more. Price: $3. Wall Street Software, 71 Murray St.,
New York, NY 10007.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 205

Apple Infocard features most Apple programming
commands and error messages. It places the most
commonly referred-to commands and error messages in
an easy-to-read format for quick reference, eliminating
turning pages in the user manuals. Price: $3.95. Irv
Brechner Enterprises, Box 453, Livingston, NJ 07039.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 206

JUNE 1982

WE WILL NOT BE UNDERSOLD

CP/M'^ Software Software

i/Manualonly

Digital Research

PL/1-80

$459/$35

BT-80

$179/$30

Mac

$ 85/$15

Sid

$ 65/$15

Z-Sid

$ 90/$15

Tex

$ 90/$15

DeSpool

$ 50/$10

Micropro

WordStar

$319/$60

Customization Notes

$489/$na

Mail-Merge

$109/$25

WordStar/Mail-Merge

$419/$85

DataStar

$249/$60

WordMaster

$119/$40

SuperSort 1

$199/$40

Spell Star

$175/$40

Microsoft

Basic-80

$289/$na

Basic Compiler

$329/$na

Fortran-80

$349/$na

Cobol-80

$574/$na

M-Sort

$124/$na

Macro-80

$144/$na

Edit-80

$ 84/$na

MuSimp/MuMath

$224/$na

MuLisp-80

$174/$na

Organic Software

Milestone

$269/$30

Supersoft

Diagnostic 1

$ 49/$20

Diagnostic II

$ 84/$20

Disk Doctor

$ 84/$20

Forth (8080 or Z80)

$149/$30

Fortran

$219/$30

Fortran w/Ratfor

$289/$35

Unicorn

Mince

$149/$25

Scribble

$149/$25

Both

$249/$50

Data Base

FMS-80

$649/$45

dBASE II

$595/$50

Access/80

$699/$50

Pascal

Pascal/MT +

$429/$30

Pascal/M

$189/$20

Miscellaneous

SpellGuard

$299/$25

SuperCalc

$269/$50

CBASIC-2

$ 98/$20

MicroStat

$224/$25

StatPak

$449/$40

Micro B4-

$229/$20

Apple Software (Business)

Micropro

Wordstar

$289

MailMerge

$119

Wordstar/Mail Merge

$389

SuperSort 1

$189

Spellstar

$139

Personal Software

::;:;

Visicalc 3.3

$229

CCA Data Mgr

Ifc- $ 84

Desktop/Plan II

.If $229

Visiterm

1. $139

Visidex

;ii|::... $229

Visiplot

;iif $185

Visitrend/Visiplot

^P-' $275

Zork

$ 34

Miscellaneous

Micro Courier

$219

SuperText II

$127

ASCII Express

$ 59

Apple Software (Entertainment)

Terminals fiS^^W^^B

Wizard & Princess

$ 28

ADDS Viewpoint ^M^tl ^m

1 $ Call

Mystery House

$ 24

Zenith Z-19 ^^^^m^mi

1 $ 699

Flight Simulator

$ 32

Televideo 910 ^■■Hi^K

$ 595

Raster Blaster

$ 29

Televideo 920C HHHHp^

$ 769

Space Eggs

$ 26

Televideo 950 ^MW^

$ 969

Sargon II

$ 29

S-100 California Computer Systems

ABM

$ 22

Mainframe

$ 349

Pool 1.5

$ 26

Z80 CPU

$ 239

Beer Run

$ 28

64K RAM

$ 569

Sneakers "^^^^^

$ 32

Floppy Disc Cntrl

$ 339

$ 27

Integrated Sys. w/int. cables, tstd.

$1975

Midnight Magic

$ 32

2P + 2S I/O

$ 269

Wizardry

$ 45

4 Port Serial 1/0

$ 249

Apple Accessories

4 Port Parallel I/O

$ 179

Z-80 Softcard by Microsoft

$299

Casio Calculators

Keyboard Enhancer

$119

Pocket Comp. FX702

$185.00

T & G Joystick

$ 49

DeskPrintr/Calc. FR100

$ 79.95

Sup-r Mod

$ 25

Scientific Calc. FX8100

$ 49.95

CPS Multifunction Card

$199

Game Watch CA90 Plastic

$ 49.95

Videoterm by Videx

$249

Game Watch CA901 Steel

$ 69.95

16K Card by Microsoft

$159

Calendar Watch AX210

$ 59.95

Sup-r Fan

$ 39

Printers NEC Spinwriter

ALF9 Voice Board

$149

$2395

CCS Cards

$Call

BH ^S|B7710 Ser w/tr.

$2595

CCS Parallel Model 7720

$Call

||H._^. ^JHIB 7720 KSR w/tr:

$2795

CCS Serial Model 7710D

$Call

^^^s^^^^pSfl 7730 R.O. Par

$2395

CCS Centronics Model 7728

$Call

^H^^^^jjmil 7730 R Par w/tr $2595

Disk Drives ForTRS-80* Model 1

»^^^^™™™^ NEW 3500 Series $ Call

^^^,..... CCI-100 574 ", 40 Track

$299

Epson MX-70

$ Call

I-; ^^^^ Add-ons for Zenith Z-89

Epson MX-80

$ Call

fr ^H CCI-189 5Va ", 40 Track

$455

Epson MX-80FT

$ Call

^H Z-87 Dual 5V4" system

$995

Epson MX-100

$ Call

^ ^ ^B Drives for Z-90

$Call

Epson Graftrax

$ Call

^^^P External card edge and power

supply

PaperTiger 560 Gr & 2K

$ Call

'., ^^R included. 90 day warranty/one year on
^ power suoplv-

IDS Prism 80

$ Call

Corvus 5M

$3089

IDS Prism 132

$ Call

Corvus 10M

$4489

PaperTiger Access.

$ Call

Corvus 20M

$5429

Anadex DP-8000

$ 949

Corvus Mirror

$ 699

Anadex DP-9500/01

$1465

Shugart 8" 801R Raw Drive

$ 399

Okidata Microline 80 Fric. & pin feed

$ Call

TANDON 5V4" Raw Drive

$ Call

Okidata Microline 82A Fric. & pin feed

$ Call

Power Supplies

$ Call

Okidata Microline 83A 120 cps

$ Call

Diskettes— Box of 10

Okidata 84 200 cps

$ Call

Maxell 5V4"

$ 40

Centronics 739

$ 739

Maxell 8"

$ 45

Data South 180 cps

$ Call

BASF/Verbatim 574"

$26.95

Monitors

BASF/ Verbatim 8"

$ 36

Leedex 12" B&W

$ 119

Plastic File Box— Holds so sv* " dskts.

$ 19

Leedex 12" Green Screen

$ 129

Plastic Library Case 5Va "

$ 3

Leedex 13" Color

$ 329

Plastic Library Case 8"

$ 4

Sanyo 9" B&W

$ 149

Head Cleaning Diskette

$ 25

Sanyo 9" Green Screen

$ 189

Floppy Saver

$10.95

Sanyo 12" Green Screen

$ 249

Floppy Saver Rings

$ 6.95

Sanyo 12" B&W

$ 239

16K RAM Kits

Sanyo 13" Color

$ 449

One Kit

$19.00

Zenith 12" Green Screen

$ 129

Two Kits

$37.00

Zenith 13" Color

$ 349

200ns forTRS-80*, Apple II,

$ 2.50

(specify): Jumpers

****** Special of the Month ******

Computer Systems

Olivetti DY 211 Daisy Whee

Atari 400

$ 359

$Call

Atari 800

$ 699

Call for other Atari products

Zenith Z89, 48K

$ Call

Telecommunications

Zenith Z90, 64K

$ Call

Prentice Star Modem 1-yr. guar.

$ 125

Call for other Zenith products

Univ Data System UDS103LP

$ 135

Univ. Data System UDS103JP

$ 189

Novation Cat

$ 139

For fast delivery, send certified checks,

Novation D-Cat

$ 149

money orders or call to arrange direct

Novation Auto-Cat

$ 199

bank wire transfers. Personal or cor

Tipany

Novation Apple Cat II

$ 299

checks require one to three weeks t

clear.

Hayes Smart Modem™

$ 249

All prices are mail order only and are

Hayes Micro-Modem 11™

$ 310

subject to change without notice. Call for

Hayes Chronograph™

$ 225

shipping charges.

CCI Telnet Com. Package

$ 135

DEALER (NATIONAinNTERNATIONAL) INQUIRIES INVITED Send fOf FREE CatalOGUe

The CPU SHOP

TO ORDER CALL TOLL FREE 1.800-343-6522

TWX: 710-348-1796 Massachusetts Residents call 617/242-3361

420-438 Rutherford Ave., Dept. IA06M
Charlestown, Massachusetts 02129
Hours 9 AM- 9 PM (EST) Mon.-Fri. (Sat. till

JUNE 1982

Technical Information call 617/242-3361
Massachusetts Residents add 5% Sales Tax
6) Tandy Corporation Trademark/" Digital Research

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 84

ViSA'

INTERFACE AGE 131

A-VIDD

electrontcs co.

>2 g\l °" I

In Order To Satisfy Your

Computer Needs We Have

Expanded Our Line!

SEC Personal Computer

• Z-80 Microprocessor • 64K RAM

• RGB Color Video • 24K ROM Basic
PC-8001A 32K Computer System $995.00
PC-8012 A I/O Unit with 32K $649.00
PC-8031 A Dual 5 1/4 Disk $995.00

The Xerox 820 Micro Computer

• CPM Operating System

• Perfect for Word Processing Needs

64K RAM with 5-1/4 Drives $2695.00

64K RAM with 8 inch Drives $3375.00

Attention Apple Computer Users
Business Software Specials

For Your Word Processing Needs

• The Finest Word Processing Software

Programma Apple Pie

• 150 Commands

• Form Letter Capabilities

• Works with Most 80 Column Cards

• Well Documented with Tutorial

Regular Price $150.00 • Sale Price $99.95
(Limited to Quantity in Stock)

Personal Software Specials

Reg.

Sale

Visicalc

250.00

215.00

Visiplot

200.00

175.00

Visifile

250.00

215.00

Visidex

250.00

215.00

Visiterm

100.00

89.00

Visitrend/Plot

300.00

260.00

Hardware Specials

for Apple II

Reg.

Sale

ZenithZVM 121 Green

Phosphor Monitors

159.95

139.00

NEC 12 inch Color Monitors

495.00

399.00

Microsoft

Z-80 CPU Cards with CPM

395.00

315.00

16K RAM Cardsfor Apple

199.00

160.00

3M 744-0 Blank Diskettes (10)
$28.00

Also in OurProductLine

Printers: 'Epson 'NEC 'Qume 'IDS •

CRTS: -BMC -Amdek -Sony -Hitachi •

A-vidd is an authorized dealer for Apple, NEC, and

Xerox Personal Computer Systems.

A-VIDD

electronics co.

Toll Free
Order Number
800/421-7542

Source I. D. *TCW547

2210 Bellflower Blvd.,

Long Beach, CA 90815

(213)598-0444

MON.-THURS., 8:30-5:30
FRl TIL 9; SAT., 10:00-5:30

4930 Campus Drive,
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(714)851-1295
. MON.-FRI., 8:30-5:30

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 63

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We will meet or
beat any price
in the U.S.A. on

MICROCOMPUTERS

In fact, no matter what price you see

advertised by Texas Computer Systems,
Micro Management, Computer Plus,
Pan American, or any authorized Radio
Shack dealer for TRS-80 Computers with
pure factory installed memory and full
warranty, well beat \\\i-~^ ^^- -.m

JUNE 1982

We have consistently offered the best
prices on

APPLE • COMMODORE VIC-20

OKIDATA • MICROLINE
EPSON . WABASH • MAXELL

— plus a complete line of Diskettes,
Monitors, Modems and other
accessories — all at the best delivery
from the largest inventory in the
Northeast.

If you're looking for the best prices in
the U.SA, check the others, but call
Computer Discount of America.

TRS-8Q and Radio Shack are trademarks of Tandy Co.

Write or call for FREE Computer Cataloj
with pictures, specs, accessories and prices.

CALLTOLLFREE:
800-526-5313

Computer
Discount

of America

COMPUTER DISCOUNT OF AMERICA. INC.
15 Marshall Hill Road. West Milford Mall
West Milford, New Jersey 07480-2198
In New Jersey Call 201-728-8080

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 85 INTERFACE AGE 133

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---N .'-S .--%

WordStar*
Magic Wand*

CP/M Compatibility
for your TRS- 80

Pluggable boards & powerful operating

system (T8/0S) run this

power packed lineup of CP/M

progrann applications

on your

Word
Processing

Mail Merge*
Mailman*

Spellstar*
Supersort*

, TRS-80
— 1 Model
or

Special ^
Applications

Mail
Management

Data Base
^Management

\ — Financial
Modeling

dBase II*
Quic-N-Easi*
Tim III*

Calc Star*
Super Calc*

Business
Applications

The
Boss

The
Freedom Family

Freedonn Option $275.00

CP/M Connpatibility

Freedonn Plus $490.00

CP/M Connpatibility Plus 64K RAM

Manual Only $25.00

Freedom Technology
International, Inc.

Helping Small Computers Do Big Things

To Order call 1-800-523-4067

In Pennsylvania call 569-2381

Dealer Inquiries Invited

*CP/M is a trademark of Digital Research, Inc.
*TRS-80 is a trademark of Tandy Corp.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 36

YOU'VE JUST FOUND

THE MISSING LINK!

Computer Shopper is your link to individuals who buy, sell and trade computer

equipment and software among themselves nationwide. No other magazine fills

this void in the marketplace chain.

Thousands of cost-conscious computer enthusiasts save by shopping in Computer

Shopper every month through hundreds of classified ads. And new equipment

advertisers offer some of the lowest prices in the nation.

Computer Shopper's unbiased articles make for some unique reading among

magazines and there's a "help" column to answer difficult problems you may have

with interfacing, etc.

For a limited time you can subscribe to Computer Shopper with a six month trial

for only $6.

6 month trial, ^6°° Call Toll Free ,V 800-327-9920"

or send ^ excBp\ Florida, Hawaii, Alaska

Check to (fe Cami^UTSR SHOh^h^SR

^ P.O. Box F369 • Titusville, FL 32780

305-269-3211

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 20 INTERFACE AGE 135

Power in Your Pocket

IF J<=B THEN 500

Continued from page 43

320:

PRINT "ENDLIST"
STOP

POWER IN

YOUR POCKET

by Bob McElwain

@@@ EDIT DATA TABLE @@@

/^' "~ ^

i^OO:

"N"

- Set flag to select edit in
access data table routine.

F=0

- Get an item to edit.

/"..^H-ii^^^^^ym^

Q9T5!r''^vjf J

Listing 1

410:

K=0

10: " "

INPUT "ITEM #? ";K

: PRINT "INDEX"

- Be sure entry is a positive
whole number.

- Set number of program variables.
: A=]k

420:

K=INT(ABS K) 1
- Find actual position of item

- Display options.

in array. '

50: PAUSE "OPS ARE D-ISPLAY N-EW"

J=A+2K-1

: PRINT "C-OMPUTE S-AVE L-OAD"

- If entry is within range, go to

: GO TO 50

the access data table routine.
52 should be 26 plus the number

- Save data to tape.

of memories available with the

100: "S"

program loaded.

: PRINT # "IND"

IF (J<=A)+(J>=52)=0 THEN 500

: STOP

- Here if out of range.

430:

PRINT "NO SUCH #. REENTER"

- Load data from tape.
200: "L"

GO TO 410

: INPUT # "IND"

@@@ ACCESS DATA TABLE @@@

: STOP

- Break out data.

500:

GO SUB 900

@@@ LIST DATA TABLE @@@

- Display title as segment, sec-

300: "D"

tion or item.

- Set flag for use of access data

IF C=0 PRINT K;"iTEM: ";A$(J)

table routine for listing.

: F=l

510:

IF C=l PRINT K;"SECT: ";A$(J)

- Start count of items.

520:

IF C=2 PRINT K;"SEGM: ";A$(J)

: K=0

- Ski p if 1 isting.

- Set index to two less than the

530:

IF F THEN 580

f i rst name in table.
: J=A-1

- ENTER only will hold the pre-
vious value.

- Increment index to next element

540:

INPUT "NEW HEAD? ";A$(J)

in the table.
310: J=J+2

PRINT "NEW HEAD ";A$(J)

- Set item number for display.

550:

PRINT "HEADING TYPE ";C

: K=K+1

- This statement can be omitted.

- Stop, if the last element has

560:

PRINT "0=iTEM 1=SECTI0N 2=SEGMT"

been 1 i sted.

•

INPUT "NEW HEADING TYPE? ";C

136 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

: PRINT "HEAD TYPE NOW ";C

- Be sure entry is a whole number.
570: C=INT C

- Test to see if in range. Return
if not.

: IF (C<0)+(C>2)>0 THEN 550

580: PRINT "BASE=$";D

- Ski p if 1 ist i ng.
: IF F THEN 610

590: INPUT "NEW BASE? $";D

: PRINT "NEW BASE=$";D

- Be sure entry is a positive
whole number.

600: D=INT(ABS D)

- Be sure entry does not exceed
maximum.

: IF D>9999 THEN 590

610: PRINT "CUR VAL=$";E

- If listing, return for next
i tem.

: IF F THEN 310

620:

630:

640:

650:

700:

INPUT "NEW CUR VAL? $";E
PRINT "NEW VAL=$";E

- Exclude any entry less than
dimes .

E=INT(lOE+.5)/10

- Be sure entry does not exceed
maximum.

IF F>9999 THEN 620

- Save edited values. Data is
held as CDDDD.EEEEE

A(J+1)=10000C+D+E/10000

- Adjust maximum number of data
elements .

IF J>B LET B=J

- Return for further editing.
GO TO 410

@@@ COMPUTE INDEX @@@

- Set for accumulation of total
current values within a section.

H=0

- Set for accumulation of total
current values of sections and
segments .

: G=0

- Set for accumulation of total
base within a section.

: M=0

- Set for accumulation of total
base of sections and segments.

: L=0

- Set index to first element in
data table, less two.

: J=A-1

- Begin loop through data table.
710: J=J+2

- Test for end-of-tab le. If so,
go to output totals.

: IF J>B THEN 780

- Break out data.
720: GO SUB 900

- If all values are zero, heading
has been deleted. Return for
next element. NOTE: This posi-
tion in the table remains avail-
able for a new heading.

: IF A(J+1)=0 THEN 710

725: IF C THEN 7^0

- Here if element is an item in
a section. Accumulate current
val ue.

730: H=H+E

- Accumulate base.
: M=M+D

- Display totals and percent.
: PRINT "ITEM: ";A$(J)

: GO SUB 950

- Return for another item.
: GO TO 710

740: IF Ol THEN 770

- Here if a section heading en-
countered. Save section totals.
Format is CDDD.EEEEE

750: D=M

: E=H

: A(J+1)=10000C+D+E/10000

- Accumulate section base.
: G=G+H

- Accumulate section current value.
: L=L+M

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 137

- Reset for accumulations in next

960: N=INT(lOOON+.5)/10

760

section.
: H=0

- If an increase, subtract base
and report change.

: M=0

: IF D<E LET N=N-100

- Go to display section totals

: PRINT "UP ";N;"^"

and percent.
: PRINT "SECTION: ";A$(J)

: RETURN

: GO SUB 950

- Here, if no change in current
period.

- Return for next element.

970: IF D=E PRINT "NO CHANGE" :RETURN

: GO TO 710

- Compute percent of decrease

- Here if item is a segment.

and display.

Accumulate current value.

980: N=100-N

770

: L=L+D

: PRINT "DOWN ";N;"^"

- Accumulate base.
: G=G+E

: RETURN
999: END

- Display segment totals and

percent .

Listing 2

PRINT "SEGMENT: ";A$(J)

(Use DEFine mode. )

GO SUB 950

SHIFT, SPC (for Start and Menu)

- Return for next item.

INDEX

GO TO 710

OPTS ARE D-l SPLAY N-EW
C-OMPUTE S-AVE L-OAD

- Here for final display.

780

PRINT "INDEX TOTAL"

SHI FT, N (for New Data)

- Move L and G for computation

ITEM #? 1

and display.

(Heading will be blank on the first run.)

. D=L

1. ITEM:

E=G

(Use ENTER only to hold previous heading)

GO SUB 950

NEW HEADING? PAYMENT
NEW HEAD PAYMENT

STOP

HEADING TYPE 0.

- Subroutine: Breakout data. Find

0=ITEM 1=SECTI0N 2=SEGMT

flag for item (C=0) , segment

(Use ENTER only to hold previous value.)

(C=l) or segment without any

NEW HEADING TYPE? ENTER

900

items. (C=2) . Format saved is
CDDDD.EEEEE
C=INT(A(J+1)/10000)

BASE=$0.

(Use ENTER only to hold previous value.)

Note that the maximum value for the

- Find the base assigned.

base is $9999 and that any decimal

D=INT A(J+1)-10000C

positions are discarded.)

- Find the current value assigned.
. E=(A(J+1)-1NT A(j + l))-"iOOOO

NEW BASE? $374.

(Entry will be displayed only when a

new value is entered.)

: RETURN

NEW BASE= $374.

- Subroutine: Display data.

CUR VAL=$0

950

: PRINT "BASE=$";D

(Use ENTER only to hold previous value.

: PRINT "CUR VAL=$";E

Note the maximum value is $9999. Tenth
of dollars will be retained; cents will

- Compare current period to base

be discarded.)

as a percent.

NEW CUR VAL? $398.4

: N=E/D

NEW VAL=$398.4

138 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

(Returns for entry of next item.)

SHIFT, C (for Compute

ndex)

ITEM #?

ITEM: PAYMENT

SHIFT, D (for display of data)

BASE=$37^.
CUR VAL=$398.4

LITEM: PAYMENT

UP 6.5^

BASE=$39^.
CUR VAL=$398.4

ITEM: UPKEEP
BASE=$94.

2. ITEM: UPKEEP

CUR VAL=$114.

BASE=$94.

UP 21.3^

CUR VAL=$114.

(Section totals follow

3. SECT: HOUSING

SECTION: HOUSING

(Note that a section (type 1) has

BASE=$^68.

ended a set of items (type O).)

CUR VAL=$512.4

BASE=$0.

UP 9.5^

CUR VAL=$0.

•

(Above amounts will be computed when

(Computation and displ

ay continues

the index is computed.)

to end of data table.)

k. ITEM: FUEL

SEGMENT: CONSTAN
BASE=$510.

(Listing continues to end of data

CUR VAL=$522.4

table.)

UP 2.h%
TOTAL INDEX

12.SEGM: CONSTAN

BASE=$1629.

BASE=$510.

CUR VAL=$1809.7

CUR VAL=$522.4

UP ll.U

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JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 139

Fortran

Continued from page 71

The inevitable error messages
for improper use of Fortran can be
difficult to understand. Recognition
of compiler error differs from one
version to another, and may not
point to proper solutions. Errors In
other code may cause the execution
to halt where no coding error exists.

String variables require knowledge
of the machine at a more intimate
level than other languages, unless

Recognition of

compiler error

differs from

one version

to another...

the Fortran version has been en-
hanced for them. The modification
of string variables requires an
understanding of the methods of
storing alphabetic values as well as
Integer and floating point values.

A programmer can easily exercise
bad programming methods using
GO TO, with computed GO TO,
with poorly documented logic flow,
or with a lack of COMMENT state-
ments to complete a task. This can
make Fortran nearly as vile as APL
or Assembly to maintain.

Why use Fortran?

Fortran makes many computations
quickly, with efficient source code
translation into machine language by
the compiler. Its efficient handling
of complex mathematics Is one of
Its founding principles and most
endearing traits for the engineering,
scientific and financial communities.

There is an exceptionally wide
range of software products based
on Fortran. Valuable statistical pack-
ages and plotting routines have been
built using Fortran. Programs are
enormously successful for applica-

EDIT

Filename
• I

: MAIN/FOR$ (Escape character)

1 00100

PROGRAM SAMPLE

00200

IMPLICIT DOUBLE PRECISION(T)

00300

COMMON INCL, TOTAL, AVG, COUNT

00400

CALL INIT

00500

100 CONTINUE

00600

CALL DATAIN(AMT,IEND)

00700

IF(IEND.EQ.999 ) GO TO 200

00800

INCL=INCL+1

00900

T0TAL=T0TAL+1

01000

GO TO 100

01100

200 WRITE (1,300) INCL

01200

300 FORMAT ( ' NUMBER OF ITEMS ENTERED ',16)

01300

IFdNCL.EQ. ) INCL = 1

01400

AVG=T0TAL/INCL

01500

WRITE (1,30 3) TOTAL, AVG

01600

303 F0RMAT(' THE TOTAL OF ALL ITEMS ENTERED IS
' ,F10.2

01700

- /' GIVING AN AVERAGE OF ',F10.4/)

01800

STOP

01900

END

02000
*E

(Escape Character)

EDIT

Filename
* I

: INIT/F0R$ (Escape Character)

00100

SUBROUTINE INIT

00200

IMPLICIT DOUBLE PRECISION(T)

00300

COMMON I,T,A,C

00400

1=0

00500

A=0.

00600

C=0.

00700

T=0.D0

00800

RETURN

00900

END

01000

(Escape Character)

2DIT

Filename

: DATAIN/F0R$ (Escape Character)

00100

SUBROUTINE DATAIN(A,I)

00200

1 =

00300

READ(1,3G0,END=30 ) A

00400

300 F0RMAT(F8.4)

00500

IF(A.EQ. 0. ) 1=999

00600

RETURN

00700

30 1=999

00800

RETURN

00900

END

01000
*E

(Escape Character)

Figure 1. Program compilation

Address

Content

1 OOOOH-

27FFH Operating System |

3000H

Start of COMMON Block

Variables local to MAIN program

Program code of MAIN program (Transfer Address)

Variables local to INIT

Program code of INIT subroutine

Variables local to DATAIN

Program code of DATAIN

FFFFH

Top of memory

Figure 2. Example of program structure

140 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

tions such as real-time simulation,
CAD/CAM, actuarial valuation, en-
gineering design, optics, structural
analysis, linear equations and other
computation intensive problems.
Major manufacturers such as CDC,
Cray, Digital, Prime, SEL and others
have offered machines especially
for the Fortran market.

The widest range of mathematical
routines comes from Fortran— the
first language easy enough for
mathematicians to use. A student in
any college mathematics depart-
ment can pick up its fundamental
features and apply the algebraic
techniques it encourages.

Solving complex problems, creat-
ing modular programs and structur-
ing solutions are primary attributes.
The designer can specify a task to
be performed at the highest possible
level of overview and develop the
subprogram modules independently
of the main program. This allows
a senior project designer to dele-
gate responsibility within a pro-
gramming team.

For these reasons, Fortran will
be a very vital programming tool in
the future. However, in the micro-
computer field, it is important to
recognize some of the prohibitive
aspects that can discourage its use.

The choices of Fortran compilers
on the market must start with Micro-
soft. Its product is the most likely to
be found on a microcomputers.
Other firms offer similar products,
including features omitted from the
Microsoft version, but none have
the support of so many important
manufacturers. For example, a new
release known as SSS Fortran is
available. In addition. Data General
has released a version for its micro-
computer line.

Z80 and 8080 version

The Microsoft version, adapted
by Tandy for the TRS-80 models I
and II, consists of a source code
editor, a compiler and a link editor.
This is the version of Fortran for
virtually all other Z80 and 8080-
based microcomputers on the mar-
ket today.

The Edit-80 source code editor
accepts disk file input written to its
specifications, and can accept an
ASCII file and number it automatic-
ally. The program lacks features
such as the potential for insertion
of program statements from an
independent disk file, or the ability

to extract only a portion of a program
to a disk file.

Edit-80 features are familiar to
Microsoft Basic users with insert,
delete, replace and alter options for
lines, and insert, delete, change,
search, delete and input, and
append features. A Fortran compiler
can read the resulting file upon
completion of the editing process.
Compilation of a program is illus-
trated in figure 1 .

Routines can be compiled using
the compiler program F80. This
program has two useful options,
allowing either single line commands
or multiple compilations. It would
also be helpful to programmers if
multiple files could be compiled in a
single command by referring to a
list of file names.

F80

= MAIN

= INIT

= DATAIN

$ (Break Character)

The results are found in three
files MAIN/REL, INIT/REL and
DATAIN/REL.

Compiled routines are linked into
a program. Linkage, using the L80
program, allows a programmer to
unite program modules interactively,
with reference to all unsatified
program references (program units
not yet linked).

Unfortunately, it is not possible
to use a macro instruction or a list
of modules from a disk file when
several routines are to be linked.
During program development, this
creates a time-consuming job of
retyping all module names whenever
a change is made.

The command link to the /REL
files into a program is:

L80 MAIN-N,MAIN,INIT,DATAIN-E

The results of the link step produce
a machine-executable file called
MAIN containing the program MAIN,
the two subroutines INIT and DATA-
IN, and the system routines from the
library. This process creates an
executable program from the Fortran
source code statements, one that
will produce an average and a
summation of any non-zero values.
The program, when loaded into
memory, has the structure displayed
in figure 2.

The example shows some of
Fortran's positive features, such

as modular construction, reusable
variable names and line numbers,
and transfer of variables between
routines in either of two methods—
COMMON blocks or argument lists.
These features allow construction
of progressively more complex
programs as needs change.

One of the challenges of Fortran
programming is in error correction.
Simple errors include failure to close
parentheses, failure to specify the
proper type of value in a function.

Scientists,

engineers and

mathematicians

have requested

and received many

improvements...

failure to start statements in or after
column 7 and before column 73,
and forgetting line number refer-
ences. A compiler can usually catch
and fix these kinds of problems.
Similarly, failure to link all sub-
program modules is easily caught in
the linker.

The difficulties usually emerge at
execution time. The entanglements
come with illegal data in input fields,
subscript overflows of arrays, or
overflow and underflow of data
items. Such problems as zero divide
and failure to initialize can also be
troublesome. Some of Fortran's
advanced implementations can help
solve these problems by subscript
checking, expanded format options,
cross reference listings and similar
programming tools— but these op-
tions are not in the Microsoft
implementation.

In the world of commercial com-
puting, especially in the scientific,
engineering and mathematical disci-
plines, Fortran users have requested
and received many improvements to
improve their productivity.

One such refinement is source
code maintenance. Manufacturers
have packages (UPDATE on Control

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 141

Data, PMF on IBM), as do indepen-
dent software houses for storing,
retrieving, selective insertion or
omission of source code state-
ments. The use of such facilities
allows programmers to develop and
enhance their program libraries from
simple to highly complex applica-
tions as knowledge and experience
grow. Similarly, software houses can
take advantage of these tools to
maintain packages on multiple data
centers, where different peripherals,
CPUs and language versions have
been implemented.

Another feature of commercial
Fortran is a large library of utilities,
for such purposes as CPU usage
monitoring, day, date and time of
day, multiple process jobs, inter-
active debugging and file handling.
The advantage of such tools is the
ability of the programmer to expand
software flexibility.

Large scale Fortran systems have
another useful feature— the overlay
(virtual memory processor). When a
program is too big for memory, the
programmer can segment the logic
into smaller units and pass variables
between them with COMMON blocks
or with arguments on the CALL
statement. The subprogram modules

Even with

its apparent

limitations^

Fortran will

probably

never be

obsolete

pass between disk and central
memory as they are called. Allow-
able program size is thus multiplied
many times over, although data
storage size may still be limited.

Frequent Fortran enhancements
offer another attribute. Fortran 77,
an enhanced release of the 1966
version with many of the features of
structured languages, was the result
of many hours of committee effort.
For example, IF. ..THEN. ..ELSE and
WHILE. ..ENDW features were
added. In some implementations.

The nnagazine specifically for the
educational user of nnicroconnputers.

Edunational
bomputer

■ magazine

Edunational
bomputer

■ magazine

P.O. Box 535, Cupertino, CA 95015

Enclosed is my $15 for one year subscription.*
D Check D Money Order

Name

Title/School

City

State

Zip

*To Canada and Mexico: $25 one year only, U.S. funds.
Other Foreign: $32.50 one year only, U.S. funds.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 31

142 INTERFACE AGE

the restrictions of syntax were
relaxed to allow free format pro-
grams, alphabetic labels and ex-
panded output format options similar
to Cobol and Basic.

But what do these features mean
in the microcomputer world? Unfor-
tunately, very little! The major
competitors in the microcomputer
field include Tandy, Apple, Commo-
dore, Digital, Data General, Hewlett-
Packard, IBM, Xerox and CDC. I per-
sonally doubt that Tandy, Apple and
Commodore— the original hobbyist
firms— want to enhance their lan-
guage products significantly. How-
ever, Digital, Data General and
Hewlett-Packard have made some
advanced features available on their
machines. The Data General MP
series features overlays, chaining
and swapping of programs. Based
on a 16-bit processor, this line has
some excellent features for the
serious Fortran programmer. Unfor-
tunately, the Data General lines are
not in the mainstream of micro-
computer growth— being essentially
scaled down versions of the com-
pany's minicomputers. As a result,
the pricing structure and operating
systems are not competitive against
many of the popular machines.

IBM, Xerox and CDC have a real
opportunity to make Fortran a more
popular standard for microcom-
puters. The mainframe manufac-
turers have depth of talent in
language maintenance and a major
stake in keeping a share of the
market. Many of their customers
are loyal and will buy only through
them, but certain characteristics
limit their ability to make Fortran
widely available. One is the tradi-
tional marketing strategy of parochial
support for only their own architec-
ture. Another emerges through the
obvious limitations inherent in the
bureaucratic process of decision
making. Their marketing strategy
will probably not encourage a trans-
portable software product.

Even with its apparent limitations,
Fortran will probably never be
obsolete. With more than a decade
of compounded experience, there
are several thousand lines of For-
tran source code available to do
many types of computing. There is
little incentive to convert existing
program modules to another lan-
guage. If popular micros supported
certain mainframe features, Fortran
would quickly emerge from rela-
tive obscurity. D

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PL/1-80

Continued from page 71

(Pacific Grove, CA) the advanced
programming features of PL/1
are available for the first time
on microcomputers.

One powerful feature in this micro
version of PL/1 is its ability to per-
form both fixed decimal and floating
point binary operations under pro-
grammer control. This makes PL/1-80
particularly useful in business and
commercial processing.

In most languages, the programmer
has no command over the internal
format used for numeric processing.
Therefore, the programmer has no
control over truncation errors that
might arise during internal conver-
sion from binary to decimal opera-
tions. These errors are magnified in
business and commercial applica-
tions because of the need for
monetary accuracy.

Differences between the way
application programs process data
and the way computers perform
arithmetic operations make conver-
sion necessary. Internally, computers
may perform operations in binary or
decimal numbers, not in both. They
generally perform in binary because
binary data can be processed directly
by most processors.

Commercial programs, on the
other hand, usually process decimal
values, so those values must be
converted to binary on input and
converted back to decimal on output.

The problem of truncation errors
is compounded by differences in
internal number formats between
languages. For example, among two
of the most popular Basic inter-
preters for microcomputers, one
performs calculations using floating
point binary while the other uses
decimal arithmetic. Pascal language
translators generally use implemen-
tation-defined precision, while For-
tran always performs arithmetic
using floating or fixed-point binary.

Cobol, designed specifically for
commercial applications in which
exact figures must be maintained
throughout computations, uses
decimal arithmetic.

The two short programs in figure
1 illustrate the essential difference
between the two computational
forms: decimal and binary. The

144 INTERFACE AGE

programs perform the simple func-
tion of summing the value 3.10 a
total of 10,000 times. The only
difference between these programs
is that dec-comp computes the
results using a fixed decimal variable
while bin-comp does it with floating
point binary.

Dec-comp produces the correct
result, 31000.00, while bin-comp
produces only an approximation,
30997.30. The difference is a result
of internal truncation that occurs
when certain decimal constants,
such as 3.10, are converted to
binary approximations. The decimal
.10 cannot be represented as a
finite binary fractional expansion;
that is, 3.10 is approximated as
3.099999E-h00 in floating point
binary. Each addition propagates a
small error into the sum that is
compounded by the number of
additions. In scientific applications,
inherent truncation errors are often
insignificant and ignored, but such
errors are unacceptable in commer-
cial and business applications.

PL/1-80 gives a programmer the
choice between decimal and binary
representations so that each pro-
gram can be tailored to a particular
application's exact needs. It con-
verts the internal format of the
program in two steps. It first con-
verts values to character format
and then converts to either fixed
decimal or floating point binary,
depending on the requirements of
the application.

To prevent truncation of digits,
which occurs in the least significant
position, PL/1-80 considers all digits
in a computation equally significant.
Since all digits are significant, the
programmer must keep track of the
range of values that arithmetic
operands can take on.

To do this, decimal variables and
constants in PL/1-80 have both
precision and scale. Precision de-
notes the number of digits in the
variable or constant, while scale
denotes the number of digits in the
fractional part. Fixed decimal variable
and constant precisions must not

dec-comp:

bin_comp:

Droc ODtions (main) ;

proc ODt ions (main) ;

del

i fixed,

t decimal (7,2) ;

t float(24) ; i

t = 0;

t ' 0;

do i =« 1 to 10000;

do i » 1 to 10000;

t = t + 3.10;

t ' t + 3,10;

end;

put edit(t) (f (10,2) ) ;

put edit (t) (f (10,2) ) ;

end decimal_co p;

end bin_comD;

Figure 1 . Differences between decimal and binary

! LOANPAYMS

NTSOMMARY \

' Interest Rate 14.00%

Inflation Rate 00.00% I

'Date 1 Principal 1 Plus Interest 1

Payment IPrincioal Paid 1 Interest Paic '

!l2/S0iS 2,B90.97lS 33.73ls

144.031s 219.33tS 6B.73!

'12/ails 1,479.021s 17.26IS

I44.03ls 1,647.751-S 3*^3.671

ill/92 Is 0.25 1s 0.00 Is

0.25IS 3,000.00ls 456.971

Princioal ,

Interest ,

Payment ,

%Inflation ,

Starting Month ,

Starting Year ,

Fiscal Month ,

Disolay Level

Yr Results :

Yr Interest: 1

All Values : 2 1

Figure 2. Loan payment computation

Note: All figures and program listing reprinted by permission of Digital Research (Pacific Grove, CA).

JUNE 1982

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CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 88

exceed 15, and the scale must not
exceed the precision. The precision
and scale of a PL/1-80 variable are
defined in the variable's declaration:

declare x fixed decimal (1 0, 3).

The precision and scale of a
PL/1-80 constant are derived by a
compiler counting the number of
digits in the constant and the number
of digits following the decimal point.
For example, the constant ( - 324.76)
has precision 5 and scale 2. Inter-
nally, fixed decimal variables and
constants are stored as binary-coded
decimal (BCD) pairs, where each
BCD digit occupies either the high
or low order four bits of each byte.

Loan schedule as an example

A typical commercial/business
application for this particular feature
is shown in the accompanying listing
for a program that computes a loan
payment schedule, while incorpo-
rating a number of useful analysis
and display formats.

In simplified terms, the algorithm
incorporated into this program to
compute the loan payment schedule
uses three input values: principal
(P), the yearly interest rate (i) and
the monthly payment (PMT). Each
month the remaining principal is
computed as:

P + i * P

(1)

and is then reduced by the payment
amount, producing a new principal
for the next month:

Pn = (Po + i * Po) - PMT (2)

As shown, beginning on line
116, this program reads several
data items:

PV: present value (initial principal);

yi: yearly interest rate;

PMT: monthly payment;

ir: yearly inflation rate;

sm: starting month of payment

(1 -12);
sy: starting year of payment

(0 - 99);
f m: fiscal month (end of fiscal

year, 1-12); and,
dl: display level (0 - 2).

The initial principal and payment
variables are declared as fixed
decimal (10, 2), allowing values as

146 INTERFACE AGE

large as $99,999,999.99. The yearly
interest rate and yearly inflation rate
are expressed in percentages as
large as 99.99, as defined on lines
24 and 29. The month and year
variables, sm, sy and fm, are in
fixed binary format and are assumed
to properly represent month and
year values. The variable dl defines
the amount of information displayed

during a particular iteration of the
program, where provides the
abbreviated display, 1 provides
additional information and 2 gives
the full trace.

Using an algorithm similar to the
one described in equations 1 and 2,
the primary loop in the program
occurs between lines 96 and 131,
where the principal is increased by

LOAN PAYMENT SUMMARY I

' Interest Rate 14.00% Inflation Rate 00.00% i

'Date I Princioal Iplas InterestI Pavrnent IPrincioal Paid ' Interest Paid '

'12/30|'S 2,890.97|S 33.73|S 144.03lS 219.33iS '53.73'

I Interest Paid During 'SO-'SO is S68.73 '•

'12/81IS 1, 479.021s 17.26|S l44.03lS l,647.75lS 368.57!

' Interest Paid Durinq ^81-^81 is S299.94

II1/32IS 0.25!S O.OOlS 0.25lS 3,000.00'S 455. Q7'

I Interest Paid Durina '82-'32 is S88.30 i

Figure 3. Execution of the main loop

Principal ,

Interest ,

Pavinent ,

^Inflation

Starting Montii ,

Startina Year ,

Fiscal Month ,

Disulay Level

Yr Results :

Yr Interest: 1

All Values : 2 2

LOAN

PAYMENT SUM

MARY

Interest Rate

14.00% Inflation

Rate 00.00^

I Date 1 ?r

inci

oal IpIus Interest! Payment Iprincioal Paidllnte

-est Paz

d '

: 11/80 Is

ooo.ools

35.001s 144.031S

109.031s

00'

! 12/80 Is

890.971s

33.731s 144.031s

219.331s

-3'

Interest Paid

During ''80-''80 is

Sfi8.73

m/811S

780.671s

32.441s 144.03|S

330.«52'S

IQl

17 1

'02/31IS

669.081s

31.141s 144.03ls

443.811s

132

31'

l03/31'S

556.19|S

29.821s 144.031s

558.02'S

162

13'

• 04/31i S

441.98ls

28.491s 144.031s

6T3.56'S

1 90

62'

! 05/311 5

326.44 1 S

27.141s 144.031s

790.45 : S

217

^5'

; 6/911 S

209.551s

25.781s 144.031s

908.70'S

243

541

:G7/31'S

091. 30 'S

24.401s 144.031s

1,028.3:'S

257

94'

'08/81IS

971.671s

23.001s 144.03(S

1.149.36'S

290

' 09/311 S

850.641s

21.591s 144.03!S

1,271.80'S

312

53'

'1Q/81IS

728.201s

20.161s 144.03)S

l,395.<7's

332

;;q '

I 11/81IS

604.331s

18.72|S 144.031s

1, 520.98' S

351

4 1 '

' 1.2/31 Is

479.021s

17.261s 144.031s

1,6 47.7=^1 S

363

67 '■

Interest Paid

During '81-'81 is

S299.94

'ai/32is

,352.25lS

15.781s 144.03IS

1,776. GO'S

384

.45'

1 02/321 S

,224.00lS

14.281s 144.Q3IS

1,905.7=!S

393

73'

'a3/32'S

,094.25iS

12.771s 144.03IS

2,037.01'S

411

50'

■ 34/32 i S

962.991s

11.23'S 144.021S

2,169.2115

^22

- 2 '

■ 35/32 ' S

830.191s

9.691s 144.03'S

2,304.15''?

422

4 2 '

: 06/32! S

695.351s

8.121s 144.031s

2,440.06 ' S

440

54^

107/32 Is

559.941s

6.53iS 144.031s

2,577.55'S

447

07'

; OS/32 'S

422.441s

4,93lS 144.031s

2,71f 6*^'S

4^2

00'

'09''32S

283.341s

3.31!S 144.03'S

2,35-'.38'S

455

■3 T 1

' 10/82 S

142.62'S

l.66:s 144.03IS

2, 999. •'5' S

436

9 * '

■ i:./3 2 S

. 25 ' S

O.OOiS 0.251s

3,000.00'S

456

Interest Paid

Durinq '32-^32 is

S88.30

Figure 4. Full display of data

JUNE 1982

Princioal ,
Interest

Payment ,

%Inflation 10

Startinq Month ,

Starting Year ,

Fiscal Month 10

Displav Level
Yr Results
Yr Interest
All Values

1
2 2

PAYMENT

SUMMARY

Interest Rate 14.00%

Inflation Rate 10.00%

I Date I Principal [Plus Interest! Payment I Princioal Paid I Interest Paid I

1 11/80 IS
I 12/80 Is
loi/8llS
I, 02/81IS
l03/8l'
I 04/31
105/81
! 06/81
'07/31
I 08/81
1 09/81IS
I 10/8l|S

3,000.00

2,8(54.95

2,733.39

2,602.35

2,471.83|S

2, 341.851s

2,212.44 Is

2,083.60
1,955.36
1,829.70
1,702.58|S
1,576. Ills

35.001s
33.421 S
31.881 S
30.361s
28.831s
27.321s
25.811s
24.311s
22.811s
21.341s
19.861s
18.381s

144.031s
142.73lS
141.581s
140.421s
139.271s
138.121s
136.971s
135.821s
134.661s
133.65lS
132.501s
131.351s

109.031s

217.351s

325.291s

432.711s

539.601 S

645.941s

751.71JS

856.90IS

961.481s

1,066,60'S

1, 170.051s

1, 272.851s

35.001
68.111
9<5.45i
129.00 I
156.77'
182.901
207.08!
229.651
250.52'
269.991
287.52'
303.41'

Interest Paid During ''80-''81 is

S332.69

! 11/81IS
'12/81
101/32
I 02/82
103/821 S
!04/82iS
I 05/82IS
i 06/821 S
I07/82!S
108/9215
'09/82IS
J 10/82 I S

1, 451.911s

l,326.68iS

1,203.50 Is

1,079.56 Is

957.461s

835.87|S

714.79ls

5?4.2.5lS

474.26IS

354.84iS

236. 02. Is

117.80ls

16.941s

15.481s

14.041 S

12.591s

11.17 1s

9.741s

8.34IS

6.93IS

5.53IS

4.141s

2.75IS

1.371s

130.34fS
129.19 1s
128.181s
127.031s
126.02!S
125.011s
124.001s
123.00ls
I2I.99IS
120.981s
119.971s
118.961s

1,376.48 1 S
1, 478.031s
1,580.64' S
1,680.87 1 S
1, 782.381s
1,883.391 S
1,983.871 S
2, 083.811s
2, 183. 191s
2,281.99! S
2,380.191 S
2,477.7ql S

3]. 8.02*
330.69'
34 2.16'
351.67'
360.06'
366.921
372.311
376.22'
373.66 •
379.63'
379.27^
377.45'

Interest Paid During '81-'32 is

S124.23

I11/B2IS

0.20iS O.OOlS 0.201s 2,457.00lS

Interest Paid During '8L-'32 is SO. 00 •

3-4. 25'

Figure 5. Loan with inflation adjustment

the monthly interest and reduced
by the monthly payment until it
becomes zero.

Figure 2 is a minimal display for a
loan of $3,000 at 1 4% interest with
a $144.03 monthly payment. In this
case, a 0% inflation rate is assumed
with a starting payment in November
1980 and end of the year taxes due
in December of each year. The dis-
play indicates the principal, interest
in December, monthly payment,
amount paid toward principal in
December, and the amount of
interest paid in the last month of the
fiscal year.

Figure 3 shows an execution of
the main loop using the same values
with a display level 1 . In this case,
the output also contains the yearly
interest paid on the loan (which
would presumably be deducted from
taxable income) for each fiscal year.

Figure 4 uses the same initial
values but provides full display of the
monthly principal, interest, monthly

JUNE 1982

payment, payment applied to the
principal and interest payment.

The same loan and interest rate
with an adjustment in dollar value
due to inflation is shown in figure 5.
A rather conservative 10% inflation
rate is assumed, so that all amounts
are scaled to the value of the dollar
at the time the loan was issued. For
tax reporting purposes, the display
showing total interest paid at the
end of the year is not scaled and
does not match the sum of the
interest paid during the year.

If we assume a zero inflation rate,
the total loan payment is $3,466.97,
taken from the previous output.
Assuming an inflation rate of 10%,
however, the total cost of the loan
in today's dollars is

$2,457.00
374.25

$2,831.25

resulting in a net gain of $68.75
over a two-year period. D

Program listing follows

This Publication
is available in
Microform.

University Microfilms
International

Please send additional information
for

Name-

Institution.

Street

City

State

300 North Zeeb Road
Dept. P.R.
AnnArbor, Mi. 48106

. Zip_

INTERFACE AGE 147

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J(;A/E 7962

INTERFACE AGE 149

Fortran

Continued from page 71

in figure 1.

Show one column at a time to view
the contents of the stack as you
process the line from left to right. X
indicates the stack as it exists; either
empty or with one or more values from
previous calculations. In columns B
through F, imagine stacking dinner
plates with numbers on them. One's
plate goes lower on the stack as the
others are added. The arithmetic
operators atop columns G through J
put one value on top for each two
used, shortening the stack.

The numbers could be written as
the names of variables, constants or
subroutines: CALC1 CALC2 CALC34
VAR6 + - * - , with CALC1 and
CALC2 being arithmetic subroutines
each leaving one value on the stack,
CALC34 leaving two, and VAR5 a
variable or constant derived or
declared elsewhere in the program.

Alternatively, the line could be
written with operators and operands
mixed: 54 + 3-2*1 - and the
process displayed on the stack
(figure 2). One gets the same result

While Forth

usually

includes

an assembler

as part of

its dictionary^

it may also

extend itself

—shorter stack— but different tem-
porary results. Circumstances would
determine which order to use.

As written, neither example is
bracketed with subroutine delimiters,
so they are not Forth program lines.
Either could be defined as a complete
subroutine, or part of one.

At its core. Forth is a minimum set
of command WORDS, a vocabulary

4 5 + -*-:

OPERATION

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E) (F) (G) (H) (1) (J) :

(COLUMN)

(X)

4 5 9 6 12 11 :

FIRST ON STACK

(X)

3 4 3 2 1 (X) :

SECOND ON STACK

(X)

2 3 2 1 (X)

THIRD ON STACK

(X)

1 2 1 (X)
(X) 1 (X) :
(X)

Figure 1 . Stack formation

FOURTH ON STACK
FIFTH ON STACK
SIXTH ON STACK

3-2*1-

OPERATOR

(A)

(B)

(C)

(D)

(E) (F) (G) (!) (J) (K)

(COLUMN)

(X)

3 6 2 12 1 11

FIRST ON STACK

(X)

9 (X) 6 (X) 12 (X)

SECOND ON STACK

(X)

(X) (X) (X)

THIRD ON STACK

Figure 2. Mixing operators and ope

rands

150 INTERFACE AGE

of primitives used to define new
words called secondaries. In the
figure 2 example, + , - , and * are
primitives, CALC1 , CALC2 and so on
would be secondaries.

From simple declarations to entire
subprograms, secondaries may be
subroutines in a particular program.
They may be compiled, permanently
or temporarily, into the language
itself for use in command, program,
or edit mode. The primitives and
secondaries make up a dictionary the
programmer expands or contracts
as needed.

One way to extend TRS-80 model
I Basic is programming SYSTEM
routines in Z80 code. Such exten-
sions become part of the computer
operating system, regardless of
changing programs, until power-
down or erasure.

Most Basic dialects let pro-
grammers set up processes and
equations for use as if they were
defining functions of the language.
From a function defined DEF FNA(X,Y)
= (X/Y), then B = FNA(4,2) returns
B = 2 in a program. These are
single-use functions— they return
one result to the main program and
are not true subroutines.

If your computer lacks a clear-
screen (CLS) command, it could be
simulated by PRINT CHR$(28);
CHR$(31 ), which puts the cursor in
the upper left position and clears
everything to the end of the video
display. It could be defined as this
function, DEF FNA$(X) = CHR$(28)
+ CHR$(31 ), and invoked by PRINT
FNA$(0). Zero is a dummy argument.

To use the function in command
mode, Basic requires that the
function be defined in a program and
run. However, EDITing the program,
CLEARing it or LOADing another
wipes the function from memory.

While Forth usually includes an
assembler as part of its dictionary.
Forth may also extend itself.
Whether extensions are as fast or
space efficient relative to Z80
coding or not. Forth is a faster tool
than assembler or machine language.

Forth allows and encourages writing
SYSTEM subroutines. They are
immediately compiled into the
language and usable until removed
or until the computer is turned off,
just as machine code SYSTEM
routines. Such routines may be
compiled permanently into the
language and loaded whenever the
system is booted up.

A minimum usable Forth operating
system would have data input and

JUNE 1982

output procedures, stack, symbol and
memory minipulation, and two primi-
tives: addition and subtraction. The
user would derive secondaries such
as multiplication, division or strings,
from primitives and other secondaries.
For example, in Forth, addition
returns the sum of the top two values
on the stack: n1 n2 + returns SUM1
(n1 +n2) on top. Here is one Forth
definition of a multiplication function.

: MULTIPLY OVER +

IF DUP ROT 1
DO OVER +
LOOP SWAP DROP

ELSE DROP DROP

ENDIF ;

It would be called as a subroutine
by n1 n2 MULTIPLY. For simplicity,
it is an integer-only routine that
returns zero for multipliers, n1 , less
than -I- 1 . The colon signals that it is
a definition, and the semi-colon
terminates it like the period closing
this sentence. The semi-colon is
analogous to RETURN in Basic
program subroutines.

For Z Y MULTIPLY (Z times Y), if
Z is greater than 0, a graph of the
first three lines of MULTIPLY would
look like the configuration in figure 3.

Columns A to C show Z and Y on
the stack when MULTIPLY is called.
OVER in column D copies the second
value on the stack and puts it on top.
When zero is put on top of the stack,
the comparator (is greater than, +)
evaluates it with the value below and
replaces them with a flag [-i- 1] for
true or [zero] for false. If that value
on top of the stack is + 1 , indicating
Z T 0, the IF removes the + 1 to
continue with the IF clause.

Note that a comparator actually
puts a number on the stack. It's an
operation, not a decision. IF is the
decision maker. The flag IF uses can
come from a comparator operation
or any other legal stack manipulation.
This isn't a Forth tutorial, so suffice
it to say that programmers have
more flexible control of a program's
flow with this separation of functions.

DUP, above column H, duplicates
the top value, and ROT, in column I,
rotates the third position to the top.
The 1 on the stack in column J is the
initial value of the loop counter or
index. DO removes the two top
values (Z and 1 ) to a separate return
or loop process stack.

Within the loop, OVER duplicates
the second value to the top, and the
two top values are then added
(column M). When the loop reaches

In Forth,
addition

returns the
sum of

the top two
values on
the stack

the limit Z in column N, SWAP in
column O reverses values and DROP
in column P ejects the top of the
stack, eliminating an unnecessary
value. Notice that ROT and SWAP
rearrange the stack without changing
its height.

If the flag in column F were zero,
processing would skip to the ELSE
clause and drop the multiplication
values. 'Then" returns zero to the

program by placing a zero on top of
the stack.

Figure 4 shows the multiplication
with real numbers, 3 4 MULTIPLY
(which is three four times).

Up to column M, this table is like
the generalized example. In M, on
the index stack, the index or loop
counter (1 at the time) increments by
1 and is compared to the loop limit.
Since 2 is less than 3, we go through
the loop again. In P, 2 plus 1 is equal
to 3, so we go on to SWAP and
DROP. As with Basic's FOR-NEXT
loops, Perth's DO-LOOPs cycle at
least once.

This line prints the result of a multi-
plication: n1 n2 MULTIPLY DUP .
The dot is the PRINT command and
removes the number on top of the
stack and displays it on the screen.
DUP keeps a copy of the result for
further processing. If only the
display was necessary, DUP would
be omitted.

In Basic, you might write the
routine as follows:

100 INPUT A: INPUT B: Y = A:

Z = B: YY = Y
200 FOR X = Z TO 1 STEP - 1
300 YY = YY + Y
400 NEXT X
500 PRINT YY

DO-LOOPs are like FOR X =
Z STEP+1: NEXT X loops.

YTO

Z Y OVER + IF DUP ROT 1 DO OVER + LOOP SWAP
ABCDEFGH IJK LM N
XZYZ0+1YY Z1Y YYY (N0TE1) Y
XZYZYZYYZYYY YY
XZYZXZYYXYX X
X Z X X X Y X
X X

DROP
P

YY
X

N0TE1 :

increment index (loop counter) and compare it to the loop limit.

Figure 3. Graph of MULTIPLY function

3 4 OVER + IF DUP ROT 1 DO OVER + LOOP OVER + LOOP SWAP DROP
ABCDEFGHIJKLM NO P Q R
34 3 D+14 4 314 4 81+1 x3 4 122+1=3 4 12
X3 4343443444 84 12 X
X343X344X4X 4X X
X3XXX4 X X
X X

NOTE: Columns M and P display the RETURN stack operations.

Figure 4. Multiplication with real numbers

JUNE 1982

INTERFACE AGE 151

[program name]
: TASK :

declare variables & constants

: MULTIPLY OVER + IF DUP ROT 1 DO OVER + LOOP SWAP DROP
ELSE DROP DROP ENDIF ;

SUBONE (process or declaration) ;

SUBTWO (process or deckaration) ;

SUBTHR (process or declaration) ;

SUBFOU SUBONE SUBTWO MULTIPLY ;

SUBFIV SUBONE SUBTHR MULTIPLY ;

J0B1 (process) ;

J0B2 (process ;

SUBMASTER SUBFIV 1 = IF J0B1 ELSE J0B2 ENDIF ;

MASTER SUBFOU 1 = IF BEGIN SUBMASTER 1 = UNTIL ENDIF ;
MASTER FORGET TASK

Figure 5. Single word defined by a program

In Basic, variables are declared as
needed and programs tend to become
variable-heavy. MULTIPLY uses no
named variables— just stack opera-
tions. It's easier to talk about variable-
oriented programs. X is equal to this,
Y to that. But it's easier to Interactively
verify stack processing. However, a
variable could be assigned, the result
of calling MULTIPLY or any of its
intermediate steps.

Forth program structure is similar
to Pascal. Variables and constants
are declared first, followed by defini-
tions of subroutines that do specific
tasks for other procedures in the
program. Then, step-by-step, the
subroutines are used to define more
general program routines.

APL and Basic programmers play
a game with themselves: writing a
complete program in a single line.
Forth programmers define, refine
and extend the language itself, until
a single word is defined by a whole
program, as shown in figure 5.

This is a fairly complex example of
a Forth program structure, com-
pressed into a single page to avoid
losing its shape in minute details.
The whole page is the program
named MASTER. It can be run by
entering MASTER from the keyboard,
or by including it on the screen with
the program loading the program calls
and runs itself. An example is to
enter RUN "MASTER" rather than
LOAD "MASTER" in Basic.

The definition of the control
routine is read like this; if the result
of SUBFOU equals 1, do SUB-
MASTER until SUBMASTER returns

a 1 . There are two non-system
words in MASTER'S definition:
SUBFOU and SUBMASTER.

SUBFOU is SUBONE multiplied by
SUBTWO. SUBFIV is similar, with
SUBTHR replacing SUBTWO. The
definition of SUBMASTER is, "if
SUBFIV equals 1, do J0B1, other-
wise do J0B2."

Neither SUBFIV nor MULTIPLY
appear in the definition of MASTER,
but are nonetheless part of its
meaning. Just as in a natural language
dictionary, words define other words
and are in turn defined by words.
Recursion is allowed; MASTER can
call Itself, but beware of infinite loops.

FORGET TASK removes anything
back to the most recent previous
TASK definition from memory. It is
the same as including NEW at the end
of a Basic program. It's necessary
because Forth compiles programs
each run time on top of what is
already in memory. Some Forths
recognize only the first three letters
of a WORD, others, up to 31 .

How complex is Forth, in com-
parison to Basic and other language
options? The programming structure,
RPN, the stack and other demanding
Forth features force a programmer
to stay on top of his task. Basic's
voracious need for variables as flags
to alter a program's flow can lead the
user astray.

On one hand, Perth's stack opera-
tions reduce the need for most
temporary variables. Stack manipu-
lations are Perth's way of setting
up local subroutine variables. On the
other hand. Forth variables require

more attention than Basic variables.
It quickly becomes easier to use
the stack.

Forth is more interactive than
Basic. To test a subroutine in Forth
command mode, numbers (or what-
ever a routine needs) are placed on
the stack and the routine is called-.
Basic variables' background require-
ment complicates using GOTO and
GOSUB in command mode to Inter-
actively verify subroutines.

User commands, edit mode func-
tions and program subroutines may
be created and tested in command
mode because they are compiled
directly into the language. Routines
developed for programs can also
be used in command mode. Forth
permits tailoring the language to suit
immediate need.

For example, an astrologer might
have a routine to make time-of-birth
corrections for longitude variations
and daylight savings time. In Forth,
the routine could be one of many
available in command or calculator
mode that simply require entering
the data and calling the routine in
one step— rather than responding to
a program's menu or list of questions.
In a sense, the astrologer creates a
dedicated astrological language, with-
out giving up the general capability
of working with Forth, Basic and
Fortran. Forth allows many dedicated
calculators to coexist along with it in
a computer.

Some implementations of Forth
include the capability of producing
ROMable code. Small calculators use
the same kind of processing chips
our computers use and are relatively
inexpensive. It seems that there
should be a way to combine Perth's
ease of programming with small cal-
culators. ROMs, PROMs or EPROMs
could interface with Forth programs
to create dedicated machines. The
market for a calculator dedicated to
that task would probably be too small
to be commercially successful. But
a ROMable calculator with some RAM
moves the idea from hardware to
software, from the technician to the
programmer who can tailor general
solutions to special needs and still
yield a profit.

The various Basic dialects are
more or less mutually translatable.
More importantly, within a dialect,
the words are constant; a program
in Radio Shack level II Basic will work
in any TRS-80 model I. As a Forth
environment becomes a private
creation, it becomes less sharable;

152 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

you can't read my program and know
what it does if it contains undefined,
non-standard WORDS.

While core dictionary symbols—
though cryptic— are standardized,
personal extensions won't be. That's
not only due to programming varia-
tions. Correspondingly, use of Disk
Basic commands without TRSDOS,
a call to a personal Forth command
won't work in an environment in
which it is not contained.

If you buy a Forth program, con-
sider the changes time will inevitably
require. After two years and beyond,
who will sleuth the structure of some-
one else's personal Forth for you?

What of the crytic nature of the
language? Just about every alpha-
numeric keyboard character may be
defined as a command word in the
dictionary. While Basic and Pascal
programs and statements provide
clues to their purpose and process
—even to the uninitiated— Forth may
emerge well-camouflaged.

Nevertheless, once learned, Forth
is an easy language to work with, and
it runs quickly. How quickly? We
wrote a Basic program to display all
of the legal Scrabble hands. Uninter-
rupted, it ran for eight days and was
still not finished when we turned it

off. Running the same algorithm, our
first Forth program completed the
task in about three hours, and
required a few hours to program. A
version in Radio Shack s Tiny Pascal
ran about the same length of time
but took several days to program.

Forth is

an easy

language

to work with,

and it runs

quiclily

Each program ran on the same
unmodified TRS-80.

How easy is Forth to write? From
concept to notes to working defini-
tion to writing and debugging
MULTIPLY usually take less than five
minutes, including disk swap.

Forth works well as a personal
learning environment. For example,
writing a Pascal interpreter in Basic
is an interesting exercise but not
necessarily useful. A Pascal inter-
preter in Forth could be fast and
complete. With an appropriate gram-
mar, individual versions of any
language can be written.

Forth is a unique blend of high
level techniques and machine code
attention to detail. It's a program-
ming bridge. For personal programs,
for self-contained programs like
games, and for programs making
evaluations from keyboard-entered
data like interest tables, Forth
is ideal.

Running Forth programs mandates
the purchase of a Forth operating
system or the assembly of one by
another means. Be wary of letting
someone else structure files for
important business data in Forth. It
uses a 1 024-byte screen instead of
CP/M's 128 or TRSDOS 256-byte
buffers. If your programmer uses
Forth, get clear documents deline-
ating system extensions as well as
program routines and file structure.
Access to Forth files can be written
in the other languages, and that may
be an important provision. D

In Texas, Orders,

Questions & Answers

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JOE McMANUS

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 69

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Olympic
Sales

^^ SERVING YOU SINCE 1947

Company

CABLE:"OLYRAV" LSA

IVlain Showroom & Offices:

216 So. Oxford Ave.

Los Angeles, CA 90004

Telex: 67 34 77

WE HONOR VISA
and MASTERCHARGE

^m ^S

ORDER DESKS
open 6 days a week!
7:00 am to 7:00 pm Mon thru Sat
OrderDesks: (213) 739-1130

TOLL-FREE TOLL-FREE

(outside Calif.) (within Calif.)
800-421-8045 800-252-2153

Prices shown are for mail or phone orders;
Wilkin sfightly higher.

Goods subject to availability;
OSC will meet or beat almost
any advertised price as long as
the competition has the goods
on hand; not responsible for
typographical errors; prices &
specifications subject to change
without notice; this ad supercedes
all previous ads,' min shpg & hndig
S5.95;Send $2 for 1 12'pg catalog f

HEWLETT
PACKARDI

$18B5.00

HP-87

32 K Bytes standard
82907A 32KMem.mod. 239.00
82908A 64KMem. mod. 337.00
82909A 128K Mem. mod.. 537.00

HP-85A Computer $1985.00

HP-125 Computer 1985.00

HP-41C Prog, scientific 188 00

HP-41C\/ Prog, scientific 248.00

HP-41 Card reader 169.00

HP-41 Printer 297.00

HP-41 Optical wand 99.00

82106A 41 C Memory module 26.00

41 C Quad mem. mod. 84.00

HP-IL interface 109.00

Cassette drive 437.00

HP-lL printer 397.00

Prog, scien/printer 584.00

Scientific 55.00

Prog, scientific 89.00

Adv. prog, scientific 114.00

Business 74.00

Prog, financial 119.00

Prog, scientific 114.00

Rig. itfancial 127.00

Impact printer 619 00

5/4" dual drive 1699.00

8" dual drive 4499.00

Impact printer 2999.00

Letter qual. ptr. 2999.00

Mass storage ROM 124 00

Plot/print ROM 124 00

I/O ROM 239.00

85-15004 Matrix ROM 124.00

85-15005 Adv. prog. ROM 124.00

Assembler ROM 239.00

16K mem. module 169.00

HP-IB interface 328.00

Serial interface 338.00

GPIO interface 408.00

BCD interface 408.00

Parallel ptr. int. 239.00

HP-7470A Hi-speed color graphic 1269.00
plotter w/interfac8

82170A

82160A

82161A

82162A

HP-97

HP-32E

HP-33C

HP34C

HP-37E

HP-38C

HP-11C

HP-12C

e2905A

82901 M

g895A

2631 B

2601 A

85-15001

65-15002

85-15003

85-15007

B2g03A

829 37 A

6293gA

62940A

82941 A

82g49A

Your

Cost

Retail
$325,00

229

,95

MflTTiSL SLiECTftOniCS"

iNtEUiViSiON

Most animated TV game!
Large selection of cartridges!

New TI-99/4A - 48K RAM

100% Tl parts w/Extended Basic

or TI-LOGO Re:$1300 y/C.5$689.95

Texas Instruments
Home Computer

TI-99/4A

Only

$29995

RETAIL Your Cost

374.95 339.95
399.95 314.95
100.00 75.00
149.95 129.95
499.95 394.95
224.95 189.95
399.95 319.95
250.00 99.95

10" color monitor high res
32K memory module
Extended Basic
Speech synthesizer
Disk memory drive
Telephone coupler (modem)
Printer (solid state)
TI-LOGO

Leedex

High Qustity Monitors your

Model Oncnption Retail Cost

100 12"B/W.12MHz 189.00 149.00

3flGG 12" Green. IB MHz 269.00 199.00

Color I 1 3" Coloi. NTSC comp. tnput. ludio <nip & ipki 499.00 359.00

Coloi II 13" Coloi, RBG input, hi res jfiphia. ipki 1295.00 799.00

Highr

MONITORS

Retail Your Cost
390.00 199.00

Wqh resolution, number one seller!
15" Black 8i white

1 3" color (OM 61 1 3) RGB, High Res 1195.00 989.00

13" color (new) high quality! 650.00 449.00

12" Green phosphorous 360.00 269.00

12" Black & white 340.00 249.00

9" Black & white (the best seller) 235.00 179.00

9" Green phosphorous 295.00 199.00

•N STOCK ATARI®
COMPUTERS

FOR ATARI 400 & 800-

GHOST HUNTER (similar to Pac-Man)

Disk $34.95 Cassette $29.95

Model

800 16K
800 48K
BID Disk drive
Atari VisiCalc
825 Impact Ptr

Retail Your Cost

1080.00 689.95
1280.00 789.95
600.00 469.95
200.00169.95
1000.00 779.95

SUPER SPECIAL-ATARI 400 (16K)
Reiail:S595.00 Your Cost: $299.95
400 Lang, card opt. $49.95

ATARI

Programmable

Color TV Game

Your Cost:

$13995

Large ietection of Cauettes Retail S225.00

Atari's 9ame cartridge
PflC'inflll IS HERE!

$g^mmnr °"^ P^'' customer

^l|95 While supply lasts-the
**•* hottest game in town!

Qz. commodore

rOKAPUTER 5K Personal Computer UlC^cD
^^^' (Expands to 32K) Works with any TV!

Retail:$300.00 Your SPECIAL Co5f.$259.95
FREE with DUfch of VIC-20 one $49.50 LCD Pen Watch!

Commodore Oatasette. Recorder
for \/IC-20 Your Cost:$68.95We carry all peripherals,
software & access. for the \/IC-20 (we will beat any price!)

Epson

MX70 1
MX80

MX8O with griftrax
MXBO FT
MX100
Graphtrax chip

PRINTERS Vou,co«
$339.95
449.95
499.95
599.00
749.00
95.00

APPLE

COMPUTERS
Apple II 48K+
Disk w/controller
Disk w/o

Pasal language system
Graphics tablet
Sitentype
Family System
Apple III 128K
Profile 5Mb

Retail Your Cost

$1530.00 $1139.00

645.00 549.00

525.00
495.00
795.00
395.00
2495.00
3495.00
3495.00

459.00
389.00
669.00
339.00
1999.99
2895.00
2795.00

Software & access, at similar discounts

JUNE 1982

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 93

INTERFACE AGE 157

I Confidence

r the best

EAT SERVICE. GUARANTEED
i, PRINTERS, TERMINALS . e.^'d

f* PkV*^ Xerox

paddles & 2 Aiai

Hog S74 95
Only tS9.95

COMPUTERS:

Altos

Apple

Atari

Commodore

Hewlett-Packard

B.M.C.

Intertec/Superbrain

N.E.C.

Northstar

Onyx

Point Four

Sharp

Televideo

Vector

Zenitii

VIDEO TERMINALS
& MONITORS:

ADDS

THERMAL

Apple
Trendcom
DOT MATRIX

Anacom
Anadex
Centronix
Commodore

D.C. Hayes
Modems

Epson ^^ 9'^^^ P^'^^"

I.D.S./Paper Tiger

Microline/Okidata

MP, I. We have IBM

Novell software.

Texas Instruments

LETTER QUALITY

Diablo/Xerox

80 COLUMN
VIDEO CARDS

Double Vision
Smart-Term
Videx

LOWER CASE
ADAPTERS
Dan Paymar

INTERFACE CARDS

Apple

California Computer

Mountain Computer

Microsoft

S.S.M. Products
Thunderclock

LANGUAGES

Basic Compiler
C.I.S. Cobol

Vanguard AP/L
OTHER PRODUCTS

Bar Code Readers
Card Readers
Game Controls
Graphics Tablet
Music System
Numeric Keypads
Programming Aids
Type-and-Talk
Video Digitizers
Voice Entry

.0^^^^^

,a\

k\e<

..V\0^
1300^

--It^^s^-^^

MONITORS

BMC 4 NEC Green Screen
NOW IN STOCK
EDUCATORS

We have the CORVUS
systems to hook up several
Apple computers at once!

NEC & DIABLO PRINTERS

Anadex, Paper
CALL

NEW
MX 100 &
MX 80 F/T

The new 136
lumn Epson
pUnter with graphics and the
Friction/tractor MX 80 are in
stock WE HAVE THE GRAPHIC
PACKAGE FOR MX 80 coll.
SILENTYPE PRINTER
ONLY S284.00

Call for catalog.

Visicalc 3.3 5159/R(;g $199

BPI GL/INV/AR/esch 299/Reg 399

Tax Preparer by Howafdsofi 139 Reg 150

Real Estale Anaiyier.Howardsoft 125/Reg 150

Creative Financing. Howardsolt 125/Reg 150

ASCII Express II by SDS 55/Req 65

Accounting Plus — Call
Benchmnfk Word Processing

Special PFS and
PFS Rcporier tor

PLOTTERS

Bausch&Lomb plotters
for your computer by
Houston Instruments
CALU

^>^

A%$ll^^

20% OFF RETAIL ALL SOFTWARE
tf you don I !•• It. call u* and wall get II!

Mali orders ONLY:

NET PROFIT COMPUTERS

2908 Oregon Court. Btd Gl
Torrance, Ca 90503 ^fST

1(800)421-1520 TT

in Cai; 213 320-4772 QQ

2% shipping and 3% for charge cards.

Visit our retail store:
Nel Profit Computers

521 W Chapman Ave
Anaheim, Cai. 92802
714 750-7318

MICPQDEX

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 92

MICRO INDEX CLASSIFIED

RIBBONS - COLORS for Printers using
* 'zip pack' ' or cartridges for Radio Shack
Models III & V Black - Blue - Purple -
Brown Models III & V (#26-1 41 4) $ 1 1 .00
each. Zip Pack $4.50 each. Minimum
order 3 ribbons. Box of 6 ribbons - mixed
colors Model III & V $60.00 box. Zip Pack
$25.00 box. Send check or money order
- includes transportation. ECR Company
Inc., PO Box 279, 78 Lawrence St..
Hackensack. N.J. 07602.

FOR SALE: Cromemco Z-2 multi-user
system: 64K, 1 1 megabyte hard disk, 2-
Per Sci SS/SD floppy drives, 1 -Act V CRT,
3-Beehive CRTS, CDOS, BASIC, assorted
system software and documentation. Two
years old. $7000 or best offer. Goodheart
Clinic, 542 Michigan BIdg., Detroit,
Michigan 48226, (313) 962-6484.

MA/COM OSI Business Software. Clien-
Time— Timekeeping and Client Billing for
the Professional. DMS-WHIP— Inventory,
Order Entry, Invoicing, Accounts Receiv-
able. A FAST Multiuser System. MEDPAK
—Complete A/R System for the medical
Practice. Billing, Insurance Forms, collec-
tions. DMS-OPEC— Oil Wholesaler Inven-
tory System. DMS-WHIP Plus. All Sys-
tems OS-DMS Level III Compatible.
Specifications, Reports, References on
Request. Demo Packages $50.00 each.
I/O Associates, Inc., 210 Law & Com-
merce Building, Bluefield, WV 24701,
304-327-6583.

TRS-80 SOFTWARE on cassette for
Mod.s I and III. Listings for other com-
puters. Send S.A.S.E. for product list.
Tapco Research, P.O. Box 82, N. Chili,
N.Y. 14514.

WRITER, TECHNICAL— Available for
individual projects. Ad Copy, Brochures,
User Documentation, Manuals. Writing
samples and references. Call (213)
498-6046 After 6:00 or weekends.

Computer Classified, Buy — Sell —
Employment, No initiation or monthly fee,
no charge to read ads, 300 baud, 24
hours, 512/346-4495.

QUALITY SOFTWARE. Database man
ager, advanced mailing list, inventory,
word processor, GL, A/R, A/P and payroll
systems. Available for TRS-80 Mod-I, II,
III, IBM PC, CP/M and Heath. For catalog,
send long SASE (37$) to Micro Architect
Inc., 96 Dothan St., Arlington, MA 021 74.

INTERACT Owners. You are not aban-
doned. Write or call for catalogue on
tapes, keyboards, RS232 interface,
documentation, sales and service. Micro
Video, POB 7357, Ann Arbor, Ml 481 07.
(313) 996-0626.

STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING. Patter
son Engineering has programs written
for the Apple computer. Simple beam.
Continuous beam. Grid, Frames, and
Trusses represent some of our programs.
15052 Springdale Street, Huntington

PEAKL

(Producing Error-Free Automatic Rapid Logic)
PEARL the program that writes programs
PEARL runs under CP/M, CBASIC-2
and at least 48K

SAVES 70%

Level 1 $ 39) for personal computing

Level 2 $ 99) the business assistant

Level 3 $195) for software developers

WE PAY SHIPPING

CALL NOW! (213) 705-8276

WHILE SUPPLIES LAST
Or Order Direct with Check or C.O.D.
and specify;
Dfi" Flopp\' OR
oVi" Floppy, DSuperbrain
D Northstar
EH ANY Micropolis

▲PYRAMID COMPUTER SYSTEMS
18040 SHERMAN WAY #508
RESEDA, CALIFORNIA 91335
California residents add 6% sales tax.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 101

\bur mind has an insatiable
appetite for the new. \bull find
it at 155,000 stores where mag-
azines and paperback books
are sold.

We think reading is the kind
of nourishment America needs.
More and more.

Bite into some
good reading today.

Beach, CA 92649. Interested persons
call 714-898-1500.

6800 /g809 Softw are including compat-
ible single-user, multi-user and network
operating systems, compilers, accounting
and word-processing packages. Free.
catalog. Software Dynamics, 2111 W.
^Crescent, Su. G, Anaheim, CA 92801,
(714) 635-4760.

MICRODEX is a classified advertising
section available to readers wishing to
buy, sell or trade hardware and software.
Price is $1 per word, with a 25 word
minimum. The first two words bold. Addi-
tional bold type $5 per word.
Send copy with check or money order
to INTERFACE AGE, Dept. M-l, 16704
Marquardt Ave., Cerritos, CA 90701.

MICRO-MARKET ADS

SELL

YOUR PRODUCTS

A new format has been
established for the Micro-
Market section. All ads are
now 2 inches wide by 3 inches
deep. Price is $320 on a Ix
rate. Submit ads with check
or money order to:

INTERFACE AGE Magazine
Micro-Market Ads

P.O. Box 1234

Ccrritos, CA 90701

(213)926-9544

Model III 16K

$839

Model III 48K
2disc&RS232C

$2059

Color Computer 4K
$310

w/16KExt. Basic

$459

W/32K Ext. Basic

$525

BUY DIRECT. These are just a few of our great
offers wliicli include Printers, Modems, Com-
puters, Peripherals, Disc Drives, Software and
more, call toll free 1-800-34S-8124

We have the lowest
possible fully
warranteed prices
and a full complement

com^,._

Write for your PlW^
free catalog.

of Radio Shack Software.^^ ^^'^®'®°l''°°'?«
^^ Littleton. MA 01460
617 . 466 • 3193 ^

SHU^

CIRCLE INQUtRY NO. 96

COMPUTER
COMMUNICATIONS

MOVE-IT"* transfers programs and data between
any two computers running CP/M or MP/M, in-
cluding Apple It, regardless of disk format. The
program does not require an operator at tiie re-
mote computer. MOVE-lT's t1 commands allow
the user to: get and send files, display local and
remote directories, send messages to the remote
computer's console, and act like a terminal for
connection to timesharing systems. Employing
sophisticated "network type" error checking and
recovery techniques, MOVE-IT insures the integ-
rity of the data, even over the noisiest phone lines.
The program can also be used as an "electronic
mailman," sending letters or correspondence over
standard phone lines. MOVE-IT program and
manual, $99.95, add $2.00 for postage and hand-
ling. Specify disk format when ordering. Dealer
inquiries invited.

WOOLF SOFTWARE SYSTEIVfS

23842 Archwood St.. Canoga Park, CA 91307
Phone (213) 703-8112

CP/M and MP/M are iradefnofks o( Digital HeseaM

MEMOREX

FLEXIBLE DISCS

WE WILL NOT BE UNDER-
SOLD!! Call Free (800)235-4137

for prices and information. Dealer
inquiries invited and C.O.D.'s
accepted

PACinc

EXCHANGES

100 Foothill Blvd.
San Luis Obispo. CA
93401. InCaLcall
(800)592-5935 or
,(805)543-1037

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 100

VOICE
SYNTHESIZER

WITH INTERACTIVE
TELEPHONE INTERFACE

For APPLE II - compatibledial-up voice response
and remotedata-baseaccess arrangements, con-
sider a VIOO series design from VYNETCORPO-
RATION.

• Direct connect, auto-dial/answer

• Control via Touch-Tone" detection

• Allophone (LPC) based voice synthesizer

• Includes 1,000 word vocabulary

• Editor for custom vocabulary

• Extensive application software

• Programmable buffered port

• Upgrade available for high quality LPC
vocabulary

• $395.00

Telephone interface may be purchased without
synthesizer. TRS-80 ' and IBM versionsavailable
soon.

2A05 QUME DRIVE
SAN JOSE, CA 9513
(408) 942-1037

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 103

DISKETTES
CASSETTES

Error-Free 5y4-inch Diskettes (MD-
5) single-sided, soft sector, single or
double density, reinforced hub.

Item

Qty 10

QtySO

MD-5

$25.00

$110.00

C-10
C-20
C-60
C-90

$ 7.50

9.00

11.50

15.00

$ 32.50
39.00
50.00
70.00

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 98

UPS SHIPPING INCLUDED

in Continental USA

CA Customers add taxes

MICROSETTE

475 Ellis St., Mt. View,
CA 94043 (415) 968-1604

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 99

The friendly hand

holding CP/M
front end you've
been looking for!

STIK PILO!

Convert your CP/M into a perfected
system with a powerful language,
creating a menu driven environment
for any CP/M application. Easy to learn
system comes witti on-line tutorial and
FREE STOK PILOT and HELP facilities, in
addition to well written and indexed
user manual.

Call or write for information.

STOK COMPUTER INTERFACE

17 West 17th St., New York, NY 10011
(212)426-7022

Deoler lnqu:r es inv lea • CP M 'S TM of Dtgiigl Research

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 102

for POCKET COMPUTERS

Game Pac 1: OLD FAVORITES

Five proven games, updated with excitmg new fea
tures. Fun for all" PLANET-Land on any planet. ZILCH
Bagles. 1 -9 digit numbers. HILO-Nifty version of Stars
CGINS-Computer "learns" to wm. WINNER-You Lose!
Includes complete notes and listings

with cassette $14.
BEGINNERS GUIDE TO PROGRAMMING

the Sharp/Radio Shack Pocket Computer

It's fast, fun and easy. You'll understand every word
and be amazed how easily you progress. No other
method brings positive results so quickly $19.

YOU AND YOUR DOLLARS: ALL ABOUT INTEREST

99 basic questions answered with 17 dynamite pro-
grams. Includes variable and fixed rate home loans.
Also annuities, present and future value, notes and
contracts, cash flow analysis and much more. $19.
with cassette $33.

iRetnil m U S funds Add $2 lot tiril class delivery Add $3 >( oulside
US Cahl arid 6 s<}les lax )

AND WE HAVE OTHERS! For a copy of our catalog,
circle our number on your bmgo card or write directly.

HANCO Software (formerly XCEL)
P.O. Box4772E,Sylmar.CA 91342
(213)367-4366

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 97

<^ .,'

BUY

DIRECT

SAVE

R=^

c ■

-wr^

Learn To
"Do It Yourself"
And Save Money

TRS-80

DISCOUNT

DIRECT

PRICES

WRITE FOR
FREE

CATALOG

1-800-841-0860 toll free

YOUR TRS-80

PERSONAL COMPUTER

HEADQUARTERS

PURE RADIO SHACK EQUIPMENT

MICRO MANAGEMENT
SYSTEMS INC.

Parcel Division
DEPT. NO. 6

115C Second Ave. S.W, • Cairo, Georgia 31728
912-377-7120 Go. Phone No.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 104

See Reader Service Card
between pages 128 & 129

Info
Inquiry
Number

MANUFACTURERS

ADVERTISER INDEX

Page

5. 6

28, 29

47
48
49
50

51. 52
53
54
55. 56

800-Software Inc 11

Advanced Micro Techniques 119

Ampex 25

Anvil Cases 1 28.1 29

Ashton Tate 49

Aspen Software 8

Atari 16,17

Avant Garde 53

John Bell Engineering 28

Blat Research 92

California Data Corp 60

Columbia Data Products, Inc 4

Commodore Computer 23

Computer Case Co 34

The Computer Exchange 26

Computer Furniture and Accessories 115

Computer Services Corp. of America 47

Computer Shopper 135

The Computing Teacher 148

Condor Computer 95

Creative Discount Software 101

Cromemco Inc 1

Cybernetics 1 39

Data Dynamics Technology 56, 57, 62, 63, 130

Digital Graphic Systems 29

Dilithium Press 36

Discount Software Group 64

Dynabyte 37, 52

Ecosoft 52

Educational Computing 142

Electronic Control Technology 42

Electronic Specialists . . . , 55

Epson America 6, 7

Freedom Technology 1 26

GR Electronics 5

Hewlett Packard 75

High Technology 87

Howard Software Services 12

Independent Peripherals 60

Inf osoft 113

Inmac 37

Integrand 22

Integrated Business Computers 3

Interface Age Subscriptions ; insert between 32 & 33

International Micro Systems 32

Intertec Data Systems 18,19

JRT 101

Dennison Kybe 13

Leading Edge IBC, BC

Lexisof t 109

Lo-Ball Computer 21

3M 20, 1 1 7

Info
Inquiry
Number Page

58 Maxtek 1 00

41 Memotech 121

59 Microcraft, Inc 83

60 Mosaic Electronics 55

61 New England Business Service 54

62 North America Mica 24

64 Panasonic 9

57 Philadelphia Computer Discount 43

65 Pickles & Trout 41

67 Professional Systems 111

68 Select Information Systems 61

* Sinclair Research .30, 31

69 Sorcim . 35

70 Standard Software 27

71 Stoneware Microcomputers 93

72 Street Electronics Corp 10

73 Supertech and Associates 97

74 Tarbell Electronics 1 05

Tektronix 65

75 Teletek IFC

76, n Televideo 1 4, 1 5, 80

78 Transnet 1 00

79 Univair 86

* University Microfilms 147

80 Vandata 5

81 Wildfire Publishing 39

RETAIL

82 American Square 44, 45

83 A-vidd Electronics 1 32

84 The CPU Shop 131

85 Computer Discount of America 133

86 Computers Wholesale 1 45

87 Computer Tutor 1 25

88 Data Discount Center 69

89 Marymac 1 53

90 Micro Business World 127

91 Mini Micro Mart 1 43

92 Net Profit Computer 1 58

93 Olympic Sales 1 57

94 Priority One 88, 89

MICRO MARKET

96 Computers Plus 1 57

97 Hanco Software 1 57

1 04 Micro Management 1 57

99 Microsette 157

1 00 Pacific Exchanges 1 57

101 Pyramid Systems 158

102 Stok Computer Interface 157

1 03 Vynet Corp 157

98 Woolf Software Systems 157

*Manufacturer requests factory-direct inquiry.

This index is provided as an additional service. The publisher does not assume any liability for errors or omissions.

160 INTERFACE AGE

JUNE 1982

On the new. slicked-up,
trimmed-down Starwriter F-10.

It's C. Itoh's latest genera-
tion of letter-quality printers.

It cranks out flawless copy
at 40 cps; and its full 15"
carriage lets it double in brass
for both letter processing and
business applications. You
can plug it into almost any
micro on the market (serial or
parallel) simply by plugging it
in. And then make it keep on
trucking with inexpensive,
easily available Diablo com-

patible daisy wheels and
ribbons.

In its serial mode, it can
print just about anything
[including boldface, under-
lines, subscripts and super-
scripts), and snap the carriage
back to start the next line
in less than a second. In its
line mode, it prints in both
directions, for even faster
throughput.

(While making about as
much noise as a cat walking
on Kleenex.)

It's a nice, portable 30
pounds-about 10 pounds

lighter than the Starwriters
before it. And it stands
exactly as tall (or precisely as
small) as a dollar bill.

Speaking of which:

Incredibly, the Starwriter F-10
sells for about the same
preposterously low price as
its predecessors. Which is to
say. about $800 less than a lot
of other printers that don't
even come close to measur-
ing up. Or even better. . .

Measuring down.

Distributed Exclu-
sively by Leading
Edge Products, Inc.,
225 Turnpike Street,
Canton, Massachu-
setts 02021 Call: toll-
free 1-800-343-6833;
or in Massachusetts
call collect 16171
828-8150. Telex
951-624.

LEADING
EDGE.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 51

FORGETS."

MORE THUIJUSTANOTHER PRETTY nCE,

Says who? Says ANSI.

Specifically, subcommittee X3B8 of the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) says so. The fact
is all Elephant^'^ floppies meet or exceed the specs
required to meet or exceed all their standards.

But just who is "subcommittee X3B8" to issue such
pronouncements?

They're a group of people representing a large,
well-balanced cross section of disciplines— from
academia, government agencies, and the computer
industry. People from places like IBM, Hewlett-Packard,
3M, Lawrence Livermore Labs, The U.S. Department
of Defense, Honeywell and The Association of Com-
puter Programmers and Analysts. In short, it's a bunch
of high-caliber nitpickers whose mission, it seems, in
order to make better disks for consumers, is also to

make life miserable for everyone in the disk-making
business.

How? By gathering together periodically (often,
one suspects, under the full moon) to concoct more
and more rules to increase the quality of flexible
disks. Their most recent rule book runs over 20 single-
spaced pages— listing, and insisting upon— hundreds
upon hundreds of standards a disk must meet in
order to be blessed by ANSI. (And thereby be taken
seriously by people who take disks seriously.)

In fact, if you'd like a copy of this formidable docu-
ment, for free, just let us know and we'll send you
one. Because once you know what it takes to make
an Elephant for ANSI . . .

We think you'll want us to make some Elephants
for you.

BEPHANl HEMYDUTYNSKS.

Distributed Exclusively by Leading Edge Products, Inc., 225 Turnpike Street, Canton, Massachusetts 02021
Call: toll-free 1-800-343-6833; or in Massachusetts call collect (617) 828-8150. Telex 951-624.

CIRCLE INQUIRY NO. 52

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Full text of "Interface Age - Vol 7 Issue 6 (1982-06)(Interface Age)(US)"

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